Islamabad, Aug 11 (NationPress) The flow of trade and travel between the regions of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) and China via Khunjerab Pass has been at a standstill for nearly three weeks due to an ongoing sit-in protest on the Karakoram Highway.

The demonstration, organized by the Tajir Ittehad Action Committee and supported by local trade unions along with opposition parties and religious groups, is taking place at Sost, effectively halting trade activities between the two nations. Business operations at the Sost Dry Port have also been suspended as the protest enters its 23rd day.

Protesters are advocating for the exemption of residents from Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan from income, sales, and other federal taxes on goods imported from China via Khunjerab Pass, as reported by the leading daily Dawn.

In addition, they are demanding the customs clearance of 280 consignments that have been stranded at Sost Dry Port for over a year, under a one-time amnesty scheme.

The protesters have asserted that their demonstration will persist until their demands are met. Addressing the crowd, PML-N Hunza President Rehan Shah stated that the people of PoGB have long been fighting for their constitutional and legal rights. He emphasized that political, religious, and trade organizations support these demands, as PoGB residents have been denied these rights for the last 70 years.

PPP local president Zahoor Karim was quoted by Dawn, asserting that residents of PoGB should not be taxed until the region receives representation in Pakistan's National Assembly and Senate. He stated, 'The economic exploitation of PoGB residents will not be tolerated.'

'The FBR has implemented policies aimed at depriving the people of GB of their economic resources. Trade between Pakistan and China has been halted for a year, with goods worth billions of rupees stuck at Sost Port—some of which have been damaged by rain, while others have expired,' he added.