Mohammad Jamil
Shutter-down strike in Gilgit-Baltistan against imposition of withholding tax by the government continued intermittently since November 2017. From 13-15th November 2017, Awami Action Committee (AAC) GB and Anjuman-e-Tajraan Gilgit observed shutter down strike and staged protests in Gilgit and Skardu against levying of new taxes by Federal Government. They demanded that until and unless GB is given constitutional rights, imposition of new taxes will be resisted. The report regarding strikes in GB was picked up by Indian media and exploited it to their advantage projecting that locals of GB were protesting against the state of Pakistan. Misquoting the facts by Indian channels and nation-wide circulation of incorrect information on social media by Indian agencies have caused locals to express disgust and rejection through protests held in various parts of GB. On 23rd December 2017, once again shutter down strike was started, which continues till to date.
Awami Action Committee announced to move Supreme Court of Pakistan against imposition of tax, and vowed to continue protest till withdrawal of withholding tax. Opposition parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Peoples Party, Islami Tehreek Pakistan, Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) have all joined hands with the GB’s main traders association to oppose the GB government over taxation issues. The trading community of the area is disgruntled against the GB council after the imposition of unprecedented taxes, as well as new levies on banking transfers and similar transactions vital to local traders and business men. On the call of Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran and Awami Action Committee traders continued shutter-down strike to protest against the imposition of taxes in Gilgit-Baltistan. Like the previous day, all business activities were closed in all 10 districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Skardu Senior Minister Haji Taban, member GB Council and Commissioner Baltistan said that Chief Minister has discussed tax issues with Prime Minister of Pakistan in Lahore. They said a meeting of GB Council will soon be called to resolve the issue forever. Addressing another press conference in Gilgit, Law Minister Aurangzeb Advocate and Adviser Information Shams Mir said that traders and awami action committee will be taken into confidence to amend the tax adaptation act 2012. Responsible people from administration held meetings with AAC members, opposition leaders and traders sensitizing them that how Indian media was internationally projecting the protests campaigns. Later, AAC members had organized an anti-India protest in Gilgit/Skardu on 3rd December 2017 under Maulana Sultan Raees (Chairman AAC), sending a clear message to India that people of GB desire to be the part of Pakistan.
However, the government should not ignore the genuine demands of the people, traders and business men of Gilgit-Baltistan, and must take immediate action to redress their grievances. At this point in time, when India continues violation of ceasefire on Line of Control and working boundary, any internal fissures will provide Indian RAW opportunity to create problems for Pakistan. RAW has been active in Sindh province as well; however people of Sindh have frustrated its designs against Pakistan. On 2nd December 2017 at 1600 hours, at Press Club Bhiria Road, Police Station Bhiria Road, Taulka Bhiria City, District Naushehro Feroze, Zafar Ali Rajper alias Zafar Sindhi (Senior worker JSMM) was in District Jail Naushehro Feroze and released on 24 November 2017 after completion of three years’ incarceration in the murder case of Abdul Waheed Malik on 11 January 2013.
On 2nd December 2017, he held a press conference at Press Club Bhiria Road and announced his disassociation with JSMM. He vowed that he will not be part of any sub-nationalist party or any other politics, and will live a life of law abiding citizen. Zafar Ali Rajper alias Zafar Sindhi was a senior/die hard worker of JSMM, Bhiria Road. Resignations of JSMM members and leaders in large numbers indicate that lower rank sincere workers are fed-up with the extortionist and black mailing policies of the party. It is hoped that people of Gilgit-Baltistan would not be deceived by Indian shenanigans, as they are aware of the atrocities perpetrated by Indian security forces on the Kashmiris. There is not a single house in IHK, which has not been affected by the brutal and heinous acts of Indian security forces.
