PESHAWAR: Traders and workers associated with the FATA Pata industry staged a protest outside the Regional Tax Office (RTO) of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in Peshawar on Tuesday, chanting slogans against the RTO and demanding protection of employment.

The protest was led by Malik Mehar Elahi, the president of the trader union. Demonstrators expressed strong resentment over the rejection of encashment of pay orders (guarantee bonds), stating that industrial workers should not be pushed towards unemployment.

Protesters termed the measures against the FATA Pata industry as “economic murder” and demanded an immediate relief package. They also called for the replacement of Chief Commissioner Muhammad Taqi Qureshi.

The speakers highlighted multiple issues confronting the industry, including delays in raw material clearance and unresolved matters related to quotas and pricing. They warned that the employment of hundreds of families is at risk and that continued uncertainty could halt further investment.

The protesters said the FATA Pata industry is facing severe challenges due to expensive electricity, gas and transportation costs. They added that the additional burden caused by the distance from the seaport further increases production expenses, urging the government to announce special incentives for the sector.

They stressed that the industry should not be directly compared with major industrial cities of the country, given its unique geographical and economic conditions.

Warning of possible public order issues if economic pressure continues, the protesters accused the FBR of committing their “economic massacre” and demanded immediate intervention to resolve their concerns.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts