BATKHELA: Traders in Malakand division on Monday rejected the imposition of taxes, warning the government to withdraw the decision or face a widespread protest movement, including shutdown and wheel-jam strikes, demonstrations and motorway blockades.
The warning was issued by Batkhela Traders’ Union president Sikandar Hayat while addressing a press conference at the Malakand Press Club alongside members of the union’s cabinet.Union chairman Amirzada Golden, patron-in-chief Muhammad Naeem, general secretary Muhammad Nawab, additional general secretary Ishtiaq Ahmad, Qaiser Khan and Tahir Ali were also present on the occasion.
Sikandar Hayat said that the economic condition of Malakand division did not permit the imposition of taxes. He argued that the region’s residents had already suffered immensely over the years due to militancy, military operations, curfews, floods and earthquakes.
The office-bearer criticised the elected representatives from the area, alleging that they failed to adequately represent the interests of the people during discussions on the tax issue in the assemblies.According to him, the implementation of the tax regime would empower the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to exert pressure on local traders, a move that the business community would not accept under any circumstances.
The traders’ union leader also claimed that the government often linked such economic measures to conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), questioning why reductions in the salaries and privileges of parliamentarians, provincial lawmakers, senior bureaucrats and defence budget were not considered as part of fiscal reforms.He suggested that substantial cuts in government expenditures and official perks should be prioritised before imposing additional burdens on traders and the public.
Sikandar Hayat warned that if the government did not revise its tax policy, traders across Malakand division would launch a coordinated protest movement.
He added that consultations with trader organisations throughout the division were underway and a formal protest schedule would be announced soon.The traders’ leadership urged the authorities to reconsider the decision and avoid policies that could force both the business community and the general public onto the streets in protest.
