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Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
Tensions rising in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan against Chinese dominance
Tensions are growing in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region between local communities and the increasingly dominant China-Pakistan trade apparatus, according to reports. Social media footage widely circulated showed Chinese nationals blocking a key road in protest, and within hours, Pakistani traders responded by staging a sit-in that effectively brought cross-border movement at the Sost town at the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) immigration point to a standstill on July 31. According to a report in the online publication these developments are not isolated. They reflect a deepening discontent in Gilgit-Baltistan over what many local residents view as an exploitative trade relationship—one in which the economic benefits disproportionately favour Chinese interests while local traders are left to navigate a system they say is stacked against them. Gilgit-Baltistan's traders have been voicing concerns for years, but recent developments underscore just how acute those frustrations have become. Many in the region argue that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) -- a project long hailed by Islamabad as a game-changer -- has offered little by way of tangible benefit to the local economy. Instead, GB residents say they are witnessing their lands used as corridors for foreign economic gain while their own businesses are suffocated by bureaucracy and an uneven playing field. A recurring complaint involves the inspection of Pakistani goods and vehicles by customs officials, while Chinese shipments often pass with minimal scrutiny. One Gilgit-Baltistan trader told a local media outlet that they were required to provide strict documentation and face exhaustive checks, while Chinese goods faced almost no scrutiny at all. Adding to this imbalance are concerns about labour. Chinese workers employed in infrastructure projects under CPEC are often flown in rather than hired from the local population, leaving many GB residents sidelined despite promises of job creation. According to the report, the Pak-China Traders Action Committee (PCTAC) has escalated its protest at the Sost Dry Port in Hunza since July 21, demanding an end to what it terms illegal taxation by federal agencies. The committee, comprising traders, hoteliers, transporters, and local businesses, has blocked the Karakoram Highway in Hunza and Nagar districts, disrupting trade with China. Tensions flared after the arrest of PCTAC leaders Abbas Mir, Ali Nazar, and Farman Ali Tajik on the night of July 20–21. They were released the next day amid pressure from the trading community. The dispute stems from federal authorities, including the FBR and Pakistan Customs, imposing income and sales taxes on Chinese imports via the Khunjerab Pass. Historically, traders from Gilgit-Baltistan were informally exempt from such levies, especially for small-scale and local-market trade. However, stricter enforcement in recent months, citing smuggling concerns, has angered traders. Despite its strategic importance, the region remains in a constitutional limbo, lacking full provincial status and often excluded from the mainstream political discourse. This marginalisation has made it easier for Islamabad to push forward large-scale economic projects—like CPEC—without robust local consultation. Critics argue that this approach reduces GB to a transit zone, valuable only for its geographic location rather than for its people. While Islamabad plays a quiet role, China's growing footprint in the region is increasingly visible—and increasingly contested. From the construction of roads and tunnels to the operation of customs facilities, Chinese companies and personnel are a familiar presence in GB towns like Sost and Hunza. Though some local residents acknowledge the improvements in connectivity and infrastructure, many also feel overwhelmed by what they see as a foreign economic occupation, the report added
India Today
35 minutes ago
- India Today
Uttar Pradesh announces scholarship scheme for 5 students to study in UK annually
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced that the state cabinet has approved a new international scholarship scheme for students. Under the programme, five students from the state will be selected annually to pursue higher education in the United announcement was made during a tribute meeting in Lucknow held to mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The scholarship has been named in Vajpayee's honour, recognising his long-standing contributions to Indian politics and scheme will be jointly funded by the British and Uttar Pradesh governments. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath explained, 'Recently, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) cabinet decided to select five students each year for higher education scholarships to Britain. The British government will cover half of the costs, while the UP government will cover the other half."He added, "This scholarship, named in honour of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is considered prestigious in Britain. The state government is dedicated to preserving the memory of Atal Ji through this initiative.'REMEMBERING VAJPAYEE'S LEGACYThe Chief Minister paid floral tributes at the statue of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Lok Bhawan. He spoke about Vajpayee's six-decade-long political journey, saying that it gave Indian politics a new also emphasised that Vajpayee embodied India's core values and ideals, created a development model for the nation, and raised India's cultural identity on the global TO RANI AVANTI BAI LODHIDuring the same event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid homage to Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi on her birth anniversary. He underlined that the warrior queen's courage and sacrifice for Bharat Mata would always inspire future Chief Minister revealed that the government is actively planning to install a statue of Veerangana Avanti Bai highlighted that Uttar Pradesh has consistently worked to honour the strength and contribution of women, and this step is part of those ongoing Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, BJP State President Bhupendra Singh Patel, and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal were amongst the leaders present at the tribute this announcement, the state government has combined its commitment to expanding educational opportunities abroad with its tribute to two of India's most respected figures, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi.(With inputs from ANI)- Ends
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Choro ko hataiye, hume jitaiye': Lalu Prasad Yadav accuses BJP of 'stealing' votes; calls for opposition unity at 16-day ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra'
(Image credits: ANI) NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Sunday took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), referring to the party as 'thieves,' while speaking at the launch of the Congress-led 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Sasaram. Yadav accused BJP of harming democracy by stealing people's votes and appealed Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to join hands with the RJD and his son Tejashwi Yadav to "uproot the BJP and throw them away." "Choro ko hataiye, BJP ko bhagaiye, aur hume jitaiye (Remove the thieves, make the BJP run away, help us win)," Yadav said. "At any cost, do not let the BJP, which is a thief, come to power. Everyone, stand united, and together, Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, uproot them and throw them away. Save democracy," he added, as quoted by ANI. The 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' is a 16-day campaign by the Congress to protest alleged 'vote chori'. The march began in Sasaram on Sunday with the participation of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Pawan Khera, Kanhaiya Kumar and other leaders. Addressing the rally, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and the Election Commission of manipulating elections. "The entire country knows what the Election Commission is doing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo Earlier, the country did not know how votes were being stolen. But we made it clear in the press conference how votes are being stolen. Whenever the theft is happening, whether in Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, Bengal, we will catch the thief and work to show the people," he said. Gandhi described Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as a "conspiracy" by the Election Commission and claimed the "vote theft has been exposed." The Election Commission, in response, said errors in electoral rolls should be raised during the "Claims and Objections" period. It noted that electoral rolls are shared with all political parties to ensure transparency, but added that parties and their booth-level agents often fail to review them when required, reported ANI. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also hit out at the Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of deceiving Bihar's voters. "Narendra Modi is dead set on destroying the lives of the youth of Bihar. Modi makes the illiterate clap for him and does politics. But we engage in the politics of distributing work to everyone's hands. Today, that is why we are here. Election Commission, Modi Bihario ko choona lagana chahate hai (want to scam the people of Bihar). Do not think of Biharis as weak," he said. Invoking socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, he underlined the importance of protecting voting rights. "Lalu and Lohia have always been saying that 'the rule of votes means the rule of small'. Our Constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar, has given us all this right and given us the power to vote. Whether it is someone poor, rich, or powerful, everyone has the right to give one vote, which is given by the Constitution," he added.
