Gilgit Baltistan, PoK — A violent confrontation between Chinese nationals and Pakistani police erupted near the Khunjerab Pass on Wednesday afternoon, exposing the deepening crisis in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoK). Reports confirm that more than 80 Chinese citizens, stranded and frustrated by border closures, physically attacked Pakistani police officers in a rare public display of defiance that highlights Pakistan’s weak grip over the region.
The unrest comes amid a prolonged 51-day protest by local traders and residents from Gilgit Baltistan who have blocked the vital Karakoram Highway (KKH) and the Khunjerab Pass border crossing. The protests are led under the banner of the Pak-China Traders Action Committee (TAC) demanding relief from Islamabad’s economic policies, including high taxes imposed exclusively on Gilgit Baltistan traders and restrictions on goods movement through Pakistani ports.
The blockade has effectively cut off access for over 100 Chinese and other foreign nationals attempting to cross into China via the Sost border, leading to mounting tensions. Sources reveal that the detained Chinese civilians initially sought help from border security but eventually resorted to violent confrontation after repeated denials and hardships.
This shocking incident underscores a humiliating reality for Pakistan’s security forces in the region. The Pakistan Army, commanded by Chief Asim Munir, has been unable to control the situation or even protect its own police forces from attacks by foreign nationals on its soil. The disturbing scenes of Pakistani officers being overpowered by Chinese civilians directly challenge the illusion of authority maintained by Islamabad in PoK.
Local traders accuse the Pakistani government of double standards and exploitation, demanding that Gilgit Baltistan be declared a tax-free zone. Since May 22, the traders have consistently blocked major arteries, with no meaningful government response until now, prompting Beijing’s direct involvement due to its vested interests in CPEC connectivity.
The situation at Khunjerab Pass remains tense, with stranded civilians facing food and water shortages as the border remains closed. The prolonged protest signifies the collapse of Pakistan’s administrative control in Gilgit Baltistan, raising questions about sovereignty and the increasing dominance of Chinese interests in the region.
Political analysts observe that this incident is emblematic of Pakistan’s broader failures in Gilgit Baltistan, where economic neglect, political disenfranchisement, and now open public disorder are eroding the state’s authority. The humiliating episode involving the Pakistan Army and Chinese civilians serves as a sharp reminder of the fragility of Islamabad’s hold over one of its most strategically important yet contested territories.
