PESHAWAR: Tribal students belonging to Lower Kurram Agency on Sunday held a protest demonstration against the political administration for collecting ‘illegal’ tax from the transporters and those constructing houses in the tribal region.

They demanded of the federal government to order a probe into the tax collection and award punishment to those exploiting the poor people.

The protesters were led by Kurram Students Union president Anwar Khan and general secretary Waseem Khan who were holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands for action against the political administration.

The students, who gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club, also shouted slogans against the federal government for its failure to take notice of their complaints against the agency administration.

Talking to mediapersons on this occasion, the students said that about two years ago a ban was imposed on construction of houses, commercial buildings, roads and other infrastructure development works following a land dispute in Satain area. However, despite the ban the administration has allowed construction work by taking bribes from the people, they said.

Anwar Khan said that the people were imprisoned by the political administration if they failed to pay bribes.

He alleged that the political administration was collecting Rs5,000 per vehicle at Satain checkpost which was illegal.

He added that the drivers were harassed and put behind bars if they refused to pay the illegal tax.

He said that the issue had been raised with the authorities concerned, but no action was taken. He also alleged that there was no check on the people involved in drug trafficking.

The students demanded of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and other senior officials to take immediate notice of the ‘massive corruption’ by officials of the political administration.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2017