LOWER DIR: Traders’ organisations, political parties, and civil society in Malakand division have joined hands to pressure federal government to withdraw its proposal of imposing 10 per cent sales tax in the region, which has long held tax-exempt status.

They have announced a complete shut-down strike for Wednesday (today), across all districts of the division.

Addressing a press conference at Timergara Press Club on Tuesday, leaders of the traders’ community including Anjuman-i-Tajiran Timergara president Haji Anwaruddin, general secretary Laiq Zada, Zaib City Centre president Syed Zahir Shah, and Mobile Union president Syed Nasir Shah, along with others, declared that markets across Lower Dir, Swat, Buner, Upper Dir, Chitral, Bajaur, Shangla, and Malakand would remain completely closed on Wednesday (today).

The trader leaders rejected the proposed taxation, warning that if the federal government did not reverse its decision, a wheel-jam strike would be the next step. They termed the move unconstitutional, recalling that Malakand division was officially declared a tax-free zone. They alleged that the imposition of taxes would damage local industries.

The Mobile Phone Dealers Association also voiced concern, urging the government to refrain from imposing any taxes in Malakand. They said such decisions would severely impact small businesses already struggling due to inflation and slow economic activity.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North) chief Inayatullah Khan, in a statement issued on Tuesday, condemned both the federal and provincial budgets, saying they had made life unbearable for the masses.

He said excessive taxation and inflation had broken the back of the poor. He also criticised the newly introduced tax on solar panels, calling it an anti-people and vowed that the JI would launch a strong public movement against it.

Inayatullah declared that his party would not accept imposition of any form of tax in Malakand division. “Jamaat-e-Islami, alongside the people, will resist this unjust decision and demand its immediate withdrawal,” he stated.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025