19 December 2004	Sunday	06 Ziqa'ad 1425

CHITRAL, Dec 18: National Assembly member Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali has opposed the proposal of District Nazim Shahzada Mohyuddin for setting up customs checkpoints at three places in Chitral.

He said at a press conference on Friday that Chitral had been given the status of a tax-free zone in the constitution for a period due to limited resources of people of the area.

He said customs checkpoints would not boost trade, commerce and tourism as claimed by the nazim.

"The checkpoints will prove an instrument for a few business tycoons in the district who are being patronized by the nazim," he said and added that the people of the area would reject the proposal.

Maulana Chitrali said he would resist the opening of checkpoints in the district and mobilize people masses against it. He asked the government not to consider the proposal.