By Jamil Nagri
A clash broke out between police and protesters in the early hours of Thursday, leaving several injured, protest organisers claimed, as traders continued to block routes in Gilgit-Baltistan鈥檚 Sost Valley.
Last month, Pak-China Tajeer Etihad Action Committee launched a protest against the suspension of border trade via the Khunjerab Pass, blaming the federal government鈥檚 inaction over unresolved tax-related issues, which have inflicted heavy losses on importers and exporters over the year.
One of the organisers, Muhammad Ismail, claimed that the police had launched a crackdown against peaceful protesters, stating: 鈥淧olice resorted to tear gas and aerial firing to disperse protesters from the venue.鈥
Speaking to reporters, Hunza Superintendent of Police Nabeel Ahmed said that there was no plan to launch a crackdown on the sit-in.
鈥淧olice were deployed only to arrest a suspect who is allegedly extorting traders at the customs and immigration area upon their return from China,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he sit-in organi