Travel Halt Enters Second Day
Hundreds of Chinese nationals, foreign tourists, and students remained stranded for a second consecutive day at Sost on Tuesday.
Protesters blocked the Khunjerab Pass Immigration Office, halting travel between Pakistan and China.
Officials confirmed the closure prevented large groups of travelers from crossing the Karakoram Highway.
Stranded Tourists Clash with Police
Chinese nationals and foreign tourists expressed frustration over the lack of arrangements for their departure.
Witnesses said heated arguments broke out between stranded travelers and local police.
The travelers urged authorities to restore movement through the border point.
51-Day Protest Over Tax Collection
The Gilgit-Baltistan traders’ bodies have staged a protest sit-in on the Karakoram Highway for 51 days.
They oppose federal collection of Sales Tax, Income Tax, and Excise Tax from GB residents.
Protesters argue taxation is illegal because GB has no representation in Pakistan’s parliament.
They claim the Constitution of Pakistan does not formally include Gilgit-Baltistan as a province.
Talks Between GB and Federal Committees
PPP leader Amjad Hussain, also a treasury member of the GB Assembly, confirmed ongoing talks with Islamabad.
He said the federal government admitted that collecting federal taxes in GB was unconstitutional.
Hussain, part of a committee negotiating with federal representatives, told lawmakers the issue “will be resolved soon.”
Opposition Criticizes Delay
Opposition lawmakers Javed Ali Manwa, Raja Zakaria, and Syed Sohail Abbas condemned both governments for prolonging the crisis.
They demanded immediate action to restore trade and travel links with China.
Protesters Warn Against Crackdown
Sit-in organizers accused the GB government of planning a crackdown instead of resolving their concerns.
They warned of “dire consequences” if security forces attempted to forcibly disperse the demonstration.
Organizer Gulsher Khan said both governments were ignoring constitutional rights of GB people and traders.
Trade Losses Mount
Protesters highlighted severe economic losses due to the prolonged standoff.
Over 200 Chinese consignments have been stuck at Sost Dry Port for ten months.
Traders say the blockade has caused billions of rupees in losses for the region.
