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Key Points

A traders' protest at the Sost border crossing has brought movement along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to a complete standstill. This has left students like Tanveer Zia stranded and anxious as they face missing deadlines for their universities in China. The protesting traders are also pushing back against media coverage they feel unfairly labels their demonstration. With political support from figures like Javed Manwa, the deadlock shows no immediate signs of being resolved.

Key Points: PoGB Traders Protest Strands Students at China Pakistan CPEC Border

  • Traders' sit-in at Sost border halts all cross-border movement on the CPEC route
  • Students bound for China are stranded and risk missing critical university deadlines
  • Protesters accuse media of biased portrayal, calling their demonstration peaceful
  • Javed Manwa condemns media narrative as an attack on Gilgit-Baltistan's rights struggle
2 min read

PoGB traders' protest enters critical phase; students caught in deadlock

Traders' sit-in at Sost border halts CPEC traffic, leaving students stranded and missing academic deadlines as a political deadlock deepens.

"We have been stuck here for the past two days, and the deadline for our university is also approaching. - Tanveer Zia"

Sost, September 22

Protests at the Sost border point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor continue, as traders stage a sit-in demanding policy reforms. The ongoing demonstration has completely halted cross-border movement. Among the affected are students bound for China, now stranded with their academic deadlines fast approaching.

Tanveer Zia, one of the affected students, said, "We have been stuck here for the past two days, and the deadline for our university is also approaching. Due to this protest, we are facing a lot of difficulties. Our appeal to the government is to take some action so that we can reach our university."

Another student, Shazad Hussain, expressed frustration saying, "The problem right now is that we've already booked our tickets and taken advances. Now the situation is that I have to leave tomorrow no matter what. The road is currently blocked, and I don't know what to do or how to get out. This issue needs to be resolved. It should also be solved in a way that the students can leave from here easily."

Amid the ongoing protest, traders have also raised strong objections to what they call a biased portrayal of their sit-in. They accuse certain media outlets of labelling their peaceful demonstration as disruptive or unlawful. Former Finance Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and current Assembly Member, Javed Manwa, publicly condemned this media narrative, calling it an unjust attack on the region's longstanding struggle for rights.

Javed Manwa said, " The wounds of 78 years endured by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are being aggravated today through a media trial. The entire population of 2.32 million in Gilgit-Baltistan stands with the traders in these protests, and this is a failed attempt to sabotage the movement through a conspiracy. As the strike continues with no resolution in sight, the situation at Sost remains tense.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I sympathize with the students, we must remember that PoGB is Indian territory illegally occupied by Pakistan. The real solution is complete integration with India, which would bring proper governance and development to the region.
S
Sarah B
The media bias mentioned here is concerning. Both sides have valid concerns - traders' rights and students' education. Hope they find a middle path soon. The students' futures are at stake here.
A
Arjun K
CPEC is causing so many problems for local people. First environmental concerns, now this. Students are suffering because of geopolitical games. Very unfortunate situation.
M
Michael C
The authorities should prioritize getting the students through. They've invested so much time and money. Can't they arrange alternative transport or negotiate a temporary opening?
K
Kavya N
This shows how common people suffer when infrastructure projects like CPEC are imposed without proper consultation with locals. Hope the students get to their universities soon! 🙏
V
Vikram M
While the immediate concern is students, the larger issue is the illegal occupation of Indian territory. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan deserve the same rights and development as other Indians.

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