GILGIT: Traders of Gilgit-Baltistan have urged Customs to clear consignments stuck on both sides before the Pakistan-China border was closed as per a bilateral agreement.

In a meeting with Customs Chief Collector (North) Khawaja Khurram Naeem on Saturday, the traders said the border would be closed in two weeks, and a large number of consignments were stuck on both sides.

They said if these consignments weren’t promptly cleared, local tra­ders would lose billions of rupees.

Under a border protocol agreement signed between the two countries in 1985, the pass only remains open for travel and trade between April and November.

Traders also briefed the chief collector on other issues related to the business activities between China and Pakistan through the Khunjerab Pass.

Seek prompt clearance of goods before border closes for four months

Last month, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) gave the chief collector of Customs Appraisement (North) jurisdiction over GB.

During his visit to the Sost Dry port near Khunjerab Pass, Mr Naeem met traders and discussed their issues.

The traders said trade activities between Pakistan and China were a source of income for thousands of locals. Historically, GB people carried out barter trade through the old Silk Route, which was replaced with modern trade after the construction of the Karakoram Highway in 1977.

Currently, heavy snowfall at Khunjerab top has left vehicles and passengers stranded, the traders said, adding they have to endure hardships due to heavy snowfall and poor road infrastructure.

They said traders, Customs clearing agents, employees, labourers, transporters, hotel and shop owners, and other people are enduring harsh temperatures to keep trade activities going.

Despite not being part of Pakistan constitutionally, GB traders said they have been paying billions of rupees in Customs duties, sales tax, income tax and other levies on goods imported from China.

They also raised the issues of vehicle shortage, high fares and slow Customs clearance.

According to the traders, strict examination of goods for Customs clearance takes many days, during which their consignments remain stuck.

They requested special trade incentives for locals under the protocol signed between Pakistan and China and special arrangements for the clearance and transportation of goods before the border closure.

The Customs officer was also briefed on efforts to curb the smuggling of counterfeit items and smartphones.

While addressing the traders, Mr Naeem said Khunjerab Pass was the most peaceful border of Pakistan.

He said Sost Dry port was functioning “better than any other port in Pakistan” and assured the traders that their genuine issues would be resolved.

Earlier, the Customs officer met GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, who emphasised the need of solving the problems faced by the traders on a priority basis.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2024