Protests Heat Up in Pakistan-Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan Over Tax-Free Zone Demand
People in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) are stepping up their fight for change. Traders, locals, and young folks have joined hands in a big protest movement led by the Trade Action Committee. They want the government to declare the region a tax-free zone right away, pointing to its disputed status and years of being ignored economically.
The protests kicked off 55 days ago and show no signs of slowing down. Videos shared by Markhor Times on Facebook capture traders from districts like Astore, Skardu, Diamer, and Ghizer standing strong together. "This isn’t just about us—it’s the voice of 2.2 million people in PoGB," one trader said.
Why the anger? Protesters argue that taxing PoGB goes against the law. They point to Article 1 of the Gilgit-Baltistan Order and UN resolutions, which call the area a disputed territory—not fully part of Pakistan. At a press conference in Astore, leaders slammed the government’s harsh response to peaceful demos. "Our reps serve big institutions, not us ordinary people," a speaker blasted, as per Markhor Times reports.
A community leader put it simply: "We want to unite with Pakistan, but they treat us like outsiders. This is our battle for basic human rights, better education, and fair economic chances." The group isn’t backing down—they’ve outlined a three-step plan. It starts with closing markets, then moves to bigger actions like a caravan march to Gilgit. Unless officials take their demands seriously, things could get even more intense.
On top of taxes, folks are fed up with crumbling roads and poor healthcare. "Our youth face joblessness and despair without these basics," protesters say. This wave of unrest in PoGB highlights long-standing issues that locals say the government must fix now, according to Markhor Times.
The movement keeps growing, drawing eyes to Gilgit-Baltistan protests and the push for tax relief in the region. Stay tuned as this story unfolds. ()
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