GILGIT: Tensions escalated in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Sost town on Wednesday when Chinese nationals scuffled with the police after failing to cross into their homeland due to a sit-in staged by the area traders.
The traders have blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH), suspending trade and travel between the two countries.
According to eyewitnesses and videos circulating on the social media, some Chinese nationals holding stones tried to charge toward the sit-in camp but the police blocked their advance, resulting in clashes.
Some officers were reportedly assaulted and their uniforms torn.
DIG Gilgit Region Raja Mirza Hassan told The News that police had no option but to step in.
“They couldn’t sit as spectators, as the Chinese were heading toward the protesters, which could lead to a clash,” he explained.
The traders, protesting under the banner of Pak-China Tajir Ittehad Action Committee, have been staging a sit-in for 52 days against the imposition of sales tax, income tax, and excise duty by the federal government. They insist that G-B is a “disputed territory” and that collecting federal taxes there was illegal.
Speaking at a press conference following the incident, the protest leaders condemned what they described as an “orchestrated attempt” to provoke violence at their peaceful camp.
“We strongly condemn today’s incident and hold the administration responsible. No matter how much the pressure, we will not leave the camp until our demands are accepted through a formal notification,” they said.
Meanwhile, Advocate Amjad Hussain, a member of the provincial committee negotiating with the federal government, said progress had been made in talks. He revealed that during the first round of negotiations, 10 to 12 demands of the traders had already been accepted.
“The accepted points will be placed before the next cabinet meeting, after which the federal government will issue an SRO,” Amjad said.
“Once issued, G-B will be exempted from three major taxes. We want these exemptions to benefit the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, not outsiders.”
