PESHAWAR: Provincial deputy chief of Jamaat-i-Islami Inayatullah Khan has announced that his party will fully support traders of Malakand Division in their shutter down strike against imposition of taxes.

He demanded of the government to honour its pledges made in the past with the people of the region before extending tax net to the erstwhile Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (Pata).

Speaking at a news conference here, the JI leader said that provision of basic facilities to Malakand division was prime responsibility of government. However, he alleged that government badly failed to fulfil its responsibility. He said that government was already collecting taxes from the people of Malakand division in the utility bills, petroleum products and other edible items.

The press conference was also attended by chairman of Tehreek Huqooq-i-Qabail Shah Faisal Afridi, JI provincial information secretary Syed Jamaat Ali Shah, JI vice-president in Swat Dr Khalid Farooq, JI youth wing president in Dir Lower Ateequr Rahman and others.

Inayatullah said that the people of Malakand did not want to rebel against the tax system but they would not accept any excess by government in the name tax collection. He said that unfortunately tax was collected from the poor people of the country just to provide relief to elites.

He said that like Islamic welfare state, tax should be collected from rich to provide relief to poor. He said that Malakand division was a tax-free zone. “But it is now facing the threats of imposition of cruel taxation system,” he added.

The JI leader said that districts in Malakand division used to be free and independent states. He said that certain agreements and promises had been made with the people of those districts when those were made parts of Pakistan.

He said that JI was not against tax collection in the country as taxes strengthened national economy but development indicators in Malakand division and merged districts were far below than other parts of the country.

He said that they would launch a massive protest drive in the entire Malakand division if government did not withdraw the decision of tax imposition. He added that mammoth public gatherings, sit-ins, shutter down strikes and seminars would be arranged during the protest movement.

The JI leader said that they might also use the option of launching a long march towards Islamabad. He reiterated that they would resist the government decision of imposing taxes on the people of Malakand division.

The traders of Malakand division have announced a strike against imposition of taxes today (Tuesday).

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2024