Thousands of furious residents and traders in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan have brought life to a standstill by blockading the strategically vital Karakoram Highway – the main artery of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The unprecedented protest, now in its third day, is being described as the most significant show of public anger against the Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government in the region in recent years.
A leader of Sharif's party said while the establishment was compensating terrorists, it failed to aid traders, reported India Today.
At the heart of the unrest is what local businesses describe as “economic strangulation” — a reference to Islamabad's trade policies, particularly the six-month-long suspension of customs clearance for goods imported from China via the Sost Dry Port, the critical customs facility near the Chinese border.
The blockade of the Karakoram Highway, which runs through the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan and connects China to Pakistan, marks a critical moment for CPEC. The highway is often touted as the “crown jewel” of the project, not only for its strategic value but for symbolizing the deep economic ties between China and Pakistan. Now, the very people who live along this corridor – once promised prosperity – have weaponized it to force Islamabad’s attention.
Protesters are demanding immediate resumption of customs operations at the Sost Dry Port and clearance of over 250 stranded consignments. These goods, stuck since December 2024, include perishable items and commercial products that are either expired or rapidly depreciating in value.
Earlier in April, the Gilgit-Baltistan region was rocked by protests over land and mineral grabs, as well as prolonged power outages. Angry locals took to the streets in Shigar district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) to stage a protest against the Pakistan Army and government.
The protests are being spearheaded by the Pak-China Traders Action Committee, a collective of the Gilgit-Baltistan Importers and Exporters Association, the Nagar Chamber of Commerce, and several smaller trade bodies from Hunza, Gilgit, and Nagar districts. In rare unity, even local leaders from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have joined the demonstrations.
Javed Hussain, a local leader of Prime Minister Sharif's PML(N) and former member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, admitted that the federal government – run by his own party – "wasn't serious about addressing the protesters' demands." He further alleged that the region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) was being discriminated against because it lacked representation in Parliament.
"GB people have been paying all taxes, yet the FBR is reluctant to clear their consignments. The government of Pakistan even gave amnesty to high-profile terrorists. So, giving a one-time amnesty to clear 250 consignments after paying taxes was not a big demand," Hussain was quoted as saying by Dawn.
The Sost Dry Port, a gateway for trade between China’s Xinjiang province and Pakistan, was once a symbol of promise for Gilgit-Baltistan. But since December 2024, the port has seen no customs clearance, a move Islamabad claims is due to "regulatory realignment" and "security considerations."
Traders, however, allege that the closure was a result of turf wars between federal agencies and red tape — with no plan for compensation. Importers who borrowed heavily from banks to finance shipments now face bankruptcy.
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