Pakistan GB
Traders in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan continue sit-in, reject tax deal
Traders in the Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan have rejected the government's conditional tax concessions and continue their sit-in demonstration at the Sost Dry Port.
The announcement was made 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, reported The Express Tribune.
Pakistani officials on Wednesday 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, the newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, trade leader Javed Hussain said arrangements fell short of their demand.
"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," he told the newspaper.
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