SHANGLA:(Sajid Shah) Responding to the call of Malakand Traders Federation President Abdul Rahim Khan, traders across District Shangla observed a complete shutter-down strike on Monday against the enforcement of taxes in Malakand Division.
Business activities remained completely suspended in Alpuri, Bela Baba, Dheri, Karora, Shapur, Bisham City, Chakesar, Puran, Martung and other major and minor markets across the district. The strike left commercial centres deserted, while residents faced inconvenience in purchasing daily necessities.
Meanwhile, on the appeal of Shangla District Bar Association President Syed Suleman Shah Advocate, lawyers boycotted proceedings at the District Bar Alpuri as well as local courts in Puran, Chakesar and Bisham, significantly affecting judicial work.
Speaking on the occasion, Syed Suleman Shah Advocate urged both the Federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to immediately withdraw the taxes imposed in Malakand Division, the former FATA and PATA regions. He stated that the region still lacks the basic infrastructure and public facilities available in other parts of the country, making the imposition of additional taxes unjustified. He further maintained that the historical agreement concluded at the time of the merger of the former State of Swat with Pakistan had granted the region tax exemption for a specified period, and called upon the government to respect that commitment and reconsider its decision.
Read also: Complete shutter-down strike observed in Malakand division against Federal Taxes
