Gilgit: Trade and travel actions between Pakistan and China through Kunjerab pass reopened as traders canceled a 68-day long term be opposed to After reaching a deal with the federal government, SOST was staged on Saturday, blocking Karakoram Highway (KKH).
Gilgit-Baltist merchants have been sitting in hushing authorities to clear the stuck consignment goods from the sow port through the khunjerab pass, and pay sales tax, income tax and other federal taxes for imports from China. Case.
Negotiating heroes among GB traders representing Islamabad, including GB Supreme Council Chairman Ashfaq Ahmed, Abbas Ali, Abbas Ali, Kamran Ghazi, Maulana Sharafaruddin, advocates Salemuddin, Ebad Nagari and Gulsher Khan and Gulsher Khan, and a committee composed of Prime Minister Shareifs Shareifs Shareifs.
The PM’s Committee, Headed by Federal Minister for Energy Awais LEGHARI, COMPRISED FEDERAL Ministers Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam, Attorney General for Pakistan Men’s Out Usman Awan, Senator Salem Mandviwalla, GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, GB Assembly Lawmaker Advocate Amjad Hussain, and Representatives from the NLC and FBR Besides Security Agencies.
Under the treatment of protest traders, the federal government agreed to a tax exemption of Rs 4 billion for GB locally consumed goods
After a week of negotiations in Islamabad, the representatives of the merchants and the committee reached an agreement.
Local consumption
Under the agreement, the federal government exempts GB people from sales tax, income tax and federal consumption tax on GB people, which are items imported from China through the Kunjelab Pass for local consumption. The exemption will be capped at Rs 4 billion per year and will be reviewed every two years. The agreement states that any attempt to smuggle exempted goods outside of GB will result in partial or complete withdrawal of the concession.
It also agreed to speed up court orders regarding the currency pending at SOST Dry Port. Terminal operators will consider downgrades and exemptions for port fees. In the agreement, it was agreed that the federal government would issue SROs on duty-free and design mechanisms. The trader has agreed to end the protest immediately. Customs will continue to perform compliance on SOST, just like other ports.
The federal and GB governments also agreed to work in development border areas, especially in development border areas in Gojar, and consider conducting measurements to facilitate GB exports to China.
GB Businessman Representative Saturday Announce More than two months of protests have been cancelled. As traders speak to traders, members of the GB Supreme Council announced that Gilgit-Baltistan has been declared a non-tariff area. Ashfaq Ahmed, chairman of the Supreme Council of GB, is also the chairman of the Gilgit Chamber of Commerce, calling it a success. He said this achievement was achieved through solidarity between political, social and business leadership.
Kausar Hussain, a member of the Supreme Council of GB, said that after the Customs Act was extended to GB, the taxes imposed by GB finally gradually retreated. Kamran Ghazi, another member of the negotiating team, outlined the four agendas raised in Islamabad: tax exemption, Amnesty International Consignment, establishment of export facilities and allocation of funds for development in the border areas. He said the federal government has agreed to allocate part of the collection to Gogar through the Federal Ministry of Finance to reflect in the GB budget.
GB businessman representatives demanded the implementation of the agreement and canceled the protests. Pakistan Customs officials said a trade action was initiated between Pakistan and China through the Kunjelab pass after the protests were cancelled.
A officials said that trade activities in higher dry ports have resumed, and transportation between Pakistan and China has begun, facilitating travel for many beach passengers.
Posted in Dawn on September 29, 2025
