GILGIT: Traders in Gilgit-Baltistan have strongly opposed the newly introduced Border Pass policy governing local residents’ travel to Xinjiang province in China.
They have described the policy as “anti-poor” and urged the federal government intervene to address the situation. Small traders, in particular, have threatened to protest and block trade activities if their grievances are not addressed.
The GB residents have relied on the border pass for both trade and tourism, which was previously granted under border pass regulations.In response to the updated border protocol, the GB home department issued a notice outlining revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) for issuing border passes.
Among the new requirements, applicants are now asked to submit documentation such as a bank statement showing Rs5 million in transactions, membership letters from chambers of commerce, and business registration certificates.
These new SOPs have sparked strong opposition, particularly from small traders. Muhammad Ali, senior vice president of the Nagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed his opposition to the revised conditions, calling them unjustified and harmful to the socio-economic fabric of Gilgit-Baltistan.
He emphasised that the primary purpose of the border pass system is to help small traders and business owners by facilitating trade and promoting regional economic development. He argued that the new conditions, including the high financial requirements, are impractical for small business owners who rely on cross-border trade to support their livelihoods.
He warned that these measures would disproportionately affect small traders and push the region into poverty.He urged the authorities to revoke the notification, calling for measures that would promote economic activity and alleviate poverty.
Earlier in 2024, the protest over the implementation of the GB Chief Court’s order, which restrains the collection of income tax, sales tax, and additional sales tax on imported items from China through the Khunjerab Pass, intensified on Wednesday, with protesters disrupting immigration operations and blocking the exit point to China from Pakistan through the Pass.
Protesters threatened to block the Karakoram Highway (CPEC), the main entry and exit point at Khunjerab Top, and extend the protest to other areas of the region if their demands are not met.
GB traders continued their protest sit-in outside the Sost Dry Port for the sixth consecutive day, suspending all operations at the port. They are protesting against the non-implementation of the Chief Court’s order restraining the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Customs from collecting taxes on imported items from China through the Khunjerab Pass, among other demands.
Meanwhile, small traders staged a protest sit-in outside the Pakistan Immigration office at Sost, suspending travel to China. As a result, thousands of foreign and local passengers were unable to travel to China through the Khunjerab Pass. The protesters held banners inscribed with slogans against the GB collector of customs, chief collector north, and the member customs operation.
