Protest at Pak-China border crossing enters 54th day amid government silence
SOST traders demand abolition of "illegal revenues" as national media blackout prompts solidarity boycott from local journalists
The sit-in by traders has reached 54th day on Thursday in SOST, an important border town on Pak-China border. This protest is because of unjust trading policies and trading activites are totally shut down in the area.
According to trade circle, the main purpose of the protest, that continues from last two months, is to protect the local traders rights and end the illegal revenues implemented on them. However, there is no step taken by government representatives, until now.
Protest movement representatives have acuused that government is ignoring the local traders and negotiating only with Chinese traders. It is not only supressing local demands but also creating unnecessary complexities.
The public protest on SOST dry port has not only parlyzed the import and export of bussiness but thousands of people’s livelihood is also severly effected. Local people have also warned that if the demands of local traders are not met with sincerety then it will have very bad impacts on local economy.
To raise the voice of local traders the journalists from Gilgit-Baltistan have taken bold step and boycotts the national media for not covering their issues. They have collectively decided to put down the pen, step away from the cameras and refuse to contribute to national and international media outlets that continue to overlook the pressing concerns of GB’s traders.
According to these journalist, this is not just an issue of commerce, this issue is related to every single citizen of Gilgit-Baltistan. Traders of Gilgit-Baltistan face heavy burdens from sales tax, withholding tax, regulatory duty and income tax. Yet their struggles are barely acknowledged or shared by any national media.
They demands that if their voices are not raised, our thoughts will never grow. And if media platforms will ignore our issues, then as journalist it is our duty to stop lending them our words and our work until justice is seen.
This call is more than protest it is a demand for recognition. Until exemptions on unfair taxes are achieved, silence in national media must be met with silence from Gilgit-Baltistan’s journalists.
Local trader have showed the concern that until the government will not accept their demands of abolition of taxes and protect the traders rights, they will continue their protest.
