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Malaysia Sun
02-08-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Traders in PoGB block China trade route for 23 days, demand end to ''illegal'' federal taxes
Gilgit [PoGB], August 2 (ANI): Traders in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) on Friday continued their protest for the 23rd consecutive day, blocking the Karakoram Highway--a key trade route with China--demanding an end to federal taxes they deem illegal, Dawn reported. The prolonged blockade has disrupted all Pakistan-China trade and travel through the vital border crossing, leaving thousands of people, including Chinese nationals and foreign tourists, stranded in the area. The protest has garnered support from local political, youth, and religious parties, who argue that the region's disputed constitutional status exempts it from federal taxation. 'The federal government is reluctant to solve the genuine demands of local people,' said Mohammad Ishaq, one of the protest organisers. 'They are just demanding how federal taxes can be collected from the people who are not constitutional citizens of Pakistan and the region is a disputed status area,' he added. Ishaq reaffirmed the traders' commitment to their 'principle stance of 'No taxation without representation.'' The tax dispute has reportedly paralysed the local economy for the past eight months, leaving thousands jobless--including transporters, hotel owners, shopkeepers, and customs agents. Ayub Waziri, a member of the PoGB Assembly, said the issue affects the broader population of the region, not just the trading community. 'This is an issue of the GB people,' Waziri stated, highlighting that since the region is not constitutionally part of Pakistan, all federal taxes imposed there are illegal. Waziri further said that during last year's negotiations, officials from Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) admitted that PoGB falls in a 'non-tariff zone.' He noted that the federal government has since formed a committee to address the matter and that the PoGB government is mediating. The protest intensified on Friday as hundreds of people from multiple areas joined the blockade to show their solidarity. 'The protest movement has awakened GB people for their rights,' said Moulana Sharfuddin, a leader of Tanzeem Ahl-i-Sunnat wal Jamat, PoGB, expressing his support. Protesters claim the deadlock has made them victims of federal economic policies. Ahmed Nabi, a protester, told Dawn that billions of rupees worth of goods imported through the Sost Dry Port have been stuck for over a month. 'Many items have expired, while others stored in the open have been damaged by rain because Pakistan Customs officials are not clearing local consignments,' he said. Javed Hussain, another organiser, alleged, 'Speedy clearance of goods is allowed to only a handful of people.' He added, 'The economic exploitation of local people will never be accepted.' (ANI)
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sub-committee formed to examine PSDP
ISLAMABAD: Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2025–26 meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq gave top priority to sectors including energy, transport, water, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives under CPEC Phase 2.0 for next fiscal year. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq chaired a meeting of the Committee on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2025–26. The meeting was attended by the Ministers for Planning, Economic Affairs, and Food Security; Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr Tauqeer Shah; SAPMs on Political Affairs and IPC, Secretary Planning and other senior officials from the concerned departments. The Planning Commission provided a detailed briefing on the status of ongoing PSDP projects, proposed priorities for the next fiscal year, and challenges facing implementation. The meeting stressed the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) amid fiscal constraints, and a sub-committee was formed to examine the PSDP in detail and present actionable recommendations. The DPM/FM emphasized that PSDP priorities must deliver tangible socio-economic benefits, particularly job creation, poverty reduction, and regional equity, aligned with the PM's URAAN Pakistan vision for inclusive, innovation-led growth. Priority sectors identified included; energy, transport, water, agriculture, technology, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives under CPEC Phase 2.0, with a focus on empowering underserved regions and boosting national productivity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
