G-B traders reject tax deal, continue sit-in

Traders in Gilgit-Baltistan have decided to press on with their sit-in at the Sost Dry Port, rejecting the government's conditional tax concessions. The announcement came after negotiations in Islamabad between the federal government, G-B authorities, and local trade representatives.

Protesters have kept the port shut since July in opposition to new taxation measures and the suspension of customs clearance. On Wednesday, officials agreed to exempt certain imports from federal taxes, provided they were meant for local use and complied with specific conditions. The annual value of these exemptions was capped at Rs4 billion.

However, trade leader Javed Hussain said on Thursday that the arrangement fell short of their demands. "After the agreement and its announcement in Islamabad, it was suggested to us to end the protest. But we don't agree with this [suggestion] and have decided to continue the sit-in and keep the trade suspended."