PEHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP) has strongly opposed the federal government’s decision to impose taxes in Malakand Division and the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the move as anti-people, unjust and inconsistent with the region’s historical and constitutional commitments.
In a statement issued on Friday, ANP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the decision violated the agreement signed at the time of the former State of Swat’s accession to Pakistan, under which the region was granted tax exemption for 100 years.
“Imposition of taxes is against the spirit of the pact and the commitment made to the Merged Districts of Pakistan through 25th Constitutional Amendment,” Iftikhar said.
According to him, the people of Merged Districts have not been given any benefit from the constitutional merger.
The political party head pointed out that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, especially the newly merged areas, was facing severe consequences due to terrorism and military operations, including economic damage and disruption of education and business.
“It is like creating further problems for the affected areas when we are imposing further taxes on those areas that lack proper infrastructure facilities, health care services, education institutions, industries and job opportunities,” he explained.
The ANP head called upon the federal government to withdraw the tax decision and focus on development, investment, basic infrastructure and economy of the affected areas.
In his statement, he blamed both federal and provincial governments, saying that the federal government has not been paying due respect to its constitutional and financial rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Moreover, ANP leader asked for the declaration of a fresh NFC Award by the federal government, paying off all constitutional and financial arrears due to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, comprising net hydel profit, recognizing the legal share in tobacco earnings of the province and fulfilling the promise of Rs100 billion yearly for the development of the merged districts.
He further said that the imposition of additional taxation on the affected areas could not be rationalized before securing their constitutional, financial and administrative rights and assured that the party will keep fighting for the constitutional, economic and democratic rights of the people of Malakand Division and merged districts.
