Gilgit-Baltistan traders protest against WeBOC

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

GILGIT: Importers, exporters, transporters and labourers from Gilgit-Baltistan staged a protest at the Karakoram Highway (KKH) on Wednesday for the removal of Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC) system at Sust Dry Port.

Containers loaded with import and export goods are currently stranded at the Sust Port near Khunjerab Pass as traders have refused Customs clearance through WeBOC.

The call for sit in and boycott of trade between the two countries was given by the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GBCCI), as well as local import and export associations and trade organisations.

Addressing a press conference at the Gilgit Press Club, stakeholders said the officials of Pakistan Customs and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) were reluctant in redressing genuine grievances of the region’s trade and business community.

The GB High Court had recently granted a stay on the WeBOC system at Sust Dry Port. However, the FBR and Pakistan Customs have refused to accept the stay order.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Javed Hussain, a member the GB Legislative Assembly and trader, said 50,000 people affiliated with the China-Pakistan trade are facing financial crises.

“This is a conspiracy against the GB people,” he said. Mr Hussain said that the WeBOC system has been suspended at Torkham border on demands of traders.

Former GBCCI President Johar Ali Raki said, “Collection of taxes from GB people by FBR is illegal as the area is disputed territory. Existence of Customs Collectorate in GB is unconstitutional.”

President GB Importers and Exporters Association Ashfaq Ahmed said that under the protocol agreement between Pakistan and China government in1985, barter trade between Xinjiang province of China and GB region was allowed but now the system has been suspended.

Mr Hussain Ali, a transporter, said the suspension of trade for the last two months has left thousands people jobless.

Ebdad Nagri, a local trader, said the community was expecting more job opportunities with under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “However, already available jobs have been snatched from us.”

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2018

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Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. His reporting and feature writing focus on CPEC, climate change, the environment, and adventure tourism. He can be found on X at @jamilnagri.

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roro

May 31, 2018 09:02am

if they want to do trade in Pakistan than they will have to do trade through WEBOC. No other way should be allowed. They sell their products here and are not willing to pay taxes. this is just stupid! all import and exported items are done through WEBOC. there should be no exception for any one in this regards.

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Saeed Urkoo

May 31, 2018 09:42am

taking even a single rupee is illegal either, tax or any other source or by using any other name, till the day when Pakistan will give us basic equal rights. We are here in disputed area and we can take Taxes from pakistan Govt. As you can seen they ignore the Court orders this is called misuse of power. shameful act. Let me ask a simple question. How many locals works in custom department go and check.

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Suraj71

May 31, 2018 09:52am

Ask why not allowed to export in Indian market which is nearer and less competitive in fqvour of GB. Under the pressure of China Pak is forcing GB people.

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Jamal

May 31, 2018 11:00am

Good. Crooks should not be in business. Auction the goods, recover duties from the successful parties and ban those who are choking the dry port and thus affecting the smooth conduct of trade. Pakistan must not become a joke.

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Ilias

May 31, 2018 01:56pm

Former GBCCI President Johar Ali Raki said, “Collection of taxes from GB people by FBR is illegal as the area is disputed territory. Existence of Customs Collectorate in GB is unconstitutional.” Did he just say that G&B is not part of Pakistan but disputed territory

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SHAHID SATTAR

May 31, 2018 02:02pm

Smuggling from one country to another has always been their tradition for livelihood. It is their birthright which no government has dared disturb. How can they be subjected to taxation, to cut down their profits and pass it on to the government?

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Naik

May 31, 2018 03:47pm

Gilgit is by order of conciliation with pakistan in 1948 supposed to be tax and custom free territory. Which has been sigbed mutaully by elites and pak govt in 1948. Dont consider gilgit freedom similar to other parts of pakistan. If establishment want to have chaos in the GB, would not be fruitful. UN resolution need to be respected as well as goodwill.

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