KHAR, June 16: The elders, politicians and lawmakers of Bajaur Agency have rejected the federal government’s decision to withdraw tax concession for tribal areas during the next fiscal, saying the move would multiply the problems of the militancy-affected tribesmen.

Local Member of the National Assembly Haji Bismillah Khan told reporters here that the decision to withdraw Fata tax relief was a matter of great concern for local residents as it was bound to further stress out them because they were already reeling from militancy.

“Millions of tribesmen expecting relief from the new government from high inflation and high taxation are simply let down by the move. The government should realise the plight of the tribesmen and immediately reverse its decision to withdraw tax relief,” he said.

Senator Hidayatullah Khan said the PML-N government didn’t care for the Fata people as it deprived them of the current tax relief.

He said the people would have to bear the brunt of increase in general sales tax from 16 per cent to 17 per cent.

“The federal budget for 2013-14 was full of taxes and had nothing special for the people. Even the government of PML-N didn’t fulfil its commitment of increasing the salary of its own employees. The decision to impose tax in tribal areas is against the interest of the tribesmen and will add to their misery,” he said.

The senator demanded special package for reconstruction and rehabilitation of militancy-hit areas of Bajaur Agency. PML-N MNA Shahabuddin Khan said it was a very difficult budget and had nothing special for the welfare of the people, especially for tribesmen.

He said the increase in sales tax would increase inflation and thus, multiplying the people’s problems.

The MNA criticised the federal government for withdrawing tax concession in the tribal areas and said it was not in the favour of the tribesmen.

He said the people of tribal areas were unable to pay tax for being very poor due to the prolonged unrest and therefore, the government should restore tax relief and take better steps for the tribesmen’s welfare. PPP leader and ex-MNA Syed Akhunzada Chattan rejected the federal budget for the next fiscal as anti-people and said the PML-N government had shattered a devastating blow to the people by increasing taxes, especially sales taxes on kitchen items.

“The common man is already finding it hard to cope with high inflation and energy crisis and the imposition of new taxes will further burden them,” he said. ANP Bajaur president Malik Attaullah Khan voiced concern over withdrawal of tax from Fata and said his party would raise voice will never accept tax in Fata.

He said there was no rationale for imposition of tax in Fata as the successive governments had done nothing tangible for local residents.

“If the government is interested in levying tax, it should first provide the people with basic civic facilities and bring the region under the constitutional cover,” he said. Haji Sultan Khan of PTI also rejected the withdrawal of tax relief from Fata and said the new federal budget would trouble the common man in tribal areas.

“This is not a budget. It’s like a bomb of inflation dropped by the government on common man, who is already suffered from socioeconomic problems and energy crisis,” he said.

He said his party would raise voice against the imposing of taxes in Fata inside and outside parliament.