Demonstrations, protests block China border over tax issue

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, Dawn News reported.

GB traders continued their protest sit-in outside the Sost Dry Port for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, suspending all operations at the port, the newspaper reported.

The demonstrators are protesting against non implementation of 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.

Suspending travel to China, small traders also demonstrated outside the Pakistan Immigration office at Sost.

Due to the protest, a large number of foreigners failed to travel to China through the Pass.

The protesters claimed that Pakistan Customs officials are reluctant to address the genuine concerns of local traders, forcing them to resort to agitation, Dawn News reported.

Muhammad Iqbal, president of the GB Importers and Exporters Association, demanded that the federal government initiate an inquiry against the custom officials who denied the people’s rights and refused to implement the GB top court’s decision, the newspaper reported.