For the 23rd straight day, traders in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) continued to block the Karakoram Highway, a key artery for Pakistan-China trade, protesting against what they call 'illegal federal taxes, Dawn reported.
The prolonged blockade has brought bilateral trade and travel to a standstill, stranding thousands, including Chinese nationals and foreign tourists, at one of the most sensitive and strategic border crossings in South Asia.
At the heart of the protest is a demand rooted in constitutional ambiguity. Protesters argue that PoGB is not constitutionally part of Pakistan, and therefore, federal taxation has no legal basis.
“The federal government is reluctant to solve the genuine demands of local people,” said Mohammad Ishaq, one of the protest organisers.
“How can federal taxes be collected from people who are not constitutional citizens of Pakistan?” he asked, reiterating the slogan: “No taxation without representation.”
The protest movement has gathered momentum, with support pouring in from youth groups, religious organisations, and local political parties.
While the standoff has drawn recent headlines due to the highway blockade, locals say the region’s economy has already been crippled for over eight months. Transporters, shopkeepers, hotel owners, and customs agents say they’ve been hit the hardest.
“Goods worth billions of rupees are stuck at Sost Dry Port,” said protester Ahmed Nabi.
“Some have expired, others are rotting in the open under the rain. Pakistan Customs won’t clear them.”
Another organiser, Javed Hussain, accused authorities of corruption and favouritism:
“Only a few are allowed speedy clearance of goods. This is plain economic exploitation, and we will not accept it.”
The current agitation isn’t the first time the region’s disputed constitutional status has collided with Pakistan’s federal economic policies.
Ayub Waziri, a member of the PoGB Assembly, told Dawn that the issue impacts all of Gilgit-Baltistan, not just the traders.
“Even last year, Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue admitted that GB is a non-tariff zone,” he said.
“Despite that, taxes continue. The federal government formed a committee, and the PoGB government is trying to mediate.”
On Friday, the movement picked up further steam as hundreds from neighbouring areas joined the blockade in solidarity.
“This protest has awakened the GB people to fight for their rights,” said Moulana Sharfuddin, leader of Tanzeem Ahl-i-Sunnat wal Jamat (PoGB).
With Chinese trade frozen, foreign tourists stranded, and the region slipping deeper into economic distress, pressure is mounting on Pakistan’s federal authorities to act—but no resolution is in sight yet.
Gilgit-Baltistan exists in a legal and constitutional grey zone, claimed by India as part of Jammu & Kashmir, but administered by Pakistan. While Islamabad has granted limited autonomy to the region, PoGB is not represented in Pakistan’s parliament, and does not enjoy full provincial status.
(With inputs from ANI and Dawn)
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