ALPURI: The Awami National Party (ANP) has rejected the imposition of any form of taxation in Malakand Division, calling it contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan and the region’s constitutional and legal status. The party demanded that the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments immediately withdraw the decision, warning that it would launch a public protest movement if the move is not reversed.
The demand was made by ANP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Deputy General Secretary Sikandar Shehzad Khan Advocate while addressing a crowded press conference at the Shangla Press Club in Alpuri on Thursday.
The press conference was attended by ANP Shangla district general secretary Muhammad Azam Khan, senior leader Altaf Hussain Khan, Alpuri Tehsil general secretary Anwar Ali Ghorbandi, Jameel Salar, Gul Rokhan, Roshan Ali, district Salar Karim Khan, along with UC presidents, tehsil office-bearers and other party leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Sikandar Shehzad Khan said the ANP would not accept the imposition of any tax or customs law in Malakand Division, arguing that the region enjoys a special constitutional and historical status. He said that agreements and written memoranda signed at the time of the merger of the former princely State of Swat into Pakistan had recognised the area’s special status, making any taxation unconstitutional and against the fundamental rights of its residents.
He announced that the ANP had convened an All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss the proposed taxation, public concerns, and formulate a joint strategy against the move. Representatives of political parties and other stakeholders would participate in the conference to deliberate on the issue, he added.
