Gillgit-Baltistan aunches online trade portal for Rs 4 billion tax exemption on Pak-China border trade

GILGIT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Apr, 2026) The Federal government has launched an online trade portal in Gilgit-Baltistan to facilitate the issuance of tax exemption certificates worth Rs4 billion for Pak-China border trade.

Caretaker Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (Retd) Yar Muhammad formally inaugurated the portal by pressing a button. The system was designed to provide registered traders with a transparent, organized, and merit-based mechanism to obtain tax exemptions for importing goods from China.

On the occasion, the Secretary Commerce and Industries briefed the Chief Minister on the trade mechanism, portal operations, registration process, tax exemption procedures, and inter-departmental coordination.

Speaking at the event the Caretaker Chief Minister termed the initiative as the first of its kind modern and transparent digital trade system in the history of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the portal was aimed to ensure equal opportunities for the public, traders, youth, and women while enhancing trade facilitation.

He emphasized that the government was committed to merit, transparency, and ease of access, adding that the portal reflects these principles in practice.

The Chief Minister noted that the initiative would not only benefit registered traders but also have a positive impact on the entire population of Gilgit-Baltistan by boosting trade activities, generating employment opportunities, and strengthening the regional economy.

He further directed the relevant departments to ensure effective implementation of the facility provided by the federal government and to maintain transparency as a top priority.

Officials also informed that the portal has been integrated with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to ensure transparency. They added that quotas for tax exemptions have been distributed among districts based on population, with specific allocations reserved for youth and women.