Gilgit-Baltistan Protests: KKH Blockade Enters Day 3
- GILGIT – Protests against federal trade policies intensified Sunday as traders blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH), a crucial artery for trade and tourism.
- The Pak-China Traders Action Committee, representing various trade bodies including the Gilgit-Baltistan Importers and Exporters Association, issued the call for the exhibition.
- The demonstrators are demanding a one-time amnesty scheme to clear over 240 consignments stuck at Sost Dry Port for seven months.
Gilgit-Baltistan is ablaze: Traders have blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) for a third day, disrupting crucial trade routes amid escalating protests. The primary_keyword centers on grievances against the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), with demonstrators demanding relief for stranded consignments and a review of crippling secondary_keyword_1 policies. The blockade has stranded travelers and threatens Pak-China trade, underscoring the deep-seated frustration of local businesses. News Directory 3 is closely following the unfolding situation, as negotiations stall and the government struggles to mediate. Discover what’s next for the trade disruption and political fallout.
Traders Block Karakoram Highway Over Tax Policies
Updated June 02, 2025
GILGIT – Protests against federal trade policies intensified Sunday as traders blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH), a crucial artery for trade and tourism. The protest, spearheaded by local traders and backed by political factions, highlights growing discontent over what they describe as exploitative policies imposed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The Pak-China Traders Action Committee, representing various trade bodies including the Gilgit-Baltistan Importers and Exporters Association, issued the call for the exhibition. Participants from diverse backgrounds joined the sit-in, now in its third day at Gulmat nagar. Protest leaders like abbas Mir and Muhammad Ismail voiced frustration over the government’s inaction regarding their grievances.
The demonstrators are demanding a one-time amnesty scheme to clear over 240 consignments stuck at Sost Dry Port for seven months. They argue that the current tax policies are financially crippling, especially given the suspension of trade at Khunjerab Pass, which has left many jobless. They also seek the revival of barter trade with China’s Xinjiang province under a 1985 agreement.
The highway blockade has stranded thousands of passengers and tourists, causing significant disruption. Protesters have vowed to maintain the blockade until their demands are met.
The policies of FBR and Customs at Sost Dry Port “economically murdered” locals, protesters said.
Javed Hussain, a local PML-N leader, criticized the federal government for its perceived lack of seriousness in addressing the issue. He pointed out that other regions with parliamentary representation enjoy more relaxed trade policies. Hussain argued that Gilgit-Baltistan residents, despite paying taxes, lack both representation and tax exemptions.
Efforts by GB Home Minister Shams lone and other officials to negotiate an end to the protest have so far been unsuccessful. Muhammad Ali Quaid, special assistant to the chief minister, stated that the regional government’s authority is limited and that the matter will be raised in an upcoming apex committee meeting.
What’s next
The situation remains tense as both sides remain at an impasse. The upcoming apex committee meeting may prove crucial in finding a resolution and ending the trade disruption.