SWABI: Tobacco dealers on Tuesday condemned the raids at their premises by the Federal Board of Revenue and imposition of ‘unbearable’ taxes on their businesses.

They aired their grievances during a convention held in Karnal Sher Kali here to discuss the ‘precarious’ situation.

The convention was presided over by Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, divisional president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

The speakers included Biland Iqbal Khan Tarakai, Bakht Sher Kaka, Iqbal Khan, Irshad Khan, Mohammad Ali Dagiwal, Ayaz Shoaib, Master Arsalan, Mohammad Ishfaq Advocate, Ali Khan, Siddique Akbar Bacha, Tauseef Ijaz and Saeedullah Advocate.

They threatened to launch a protest movement if their ‘genuine’ demands were not met.

Last year, they said that had the business community not purchased tobacco from farmers, it would have been very difficult for the government to arrange for purchasing the crop.

On the occasion, Mr Iftikhar warned: “Tobacco is not just a crop; it is the sole livelihood source for thousands of families, who would be forced to take to the streets if their source of living was disrupted.”

The other speakers alleged that the FBR’s ‘unjustified’ raids and arrests during the transportation of tobacco from warehouses had paralysed their businesses.

Biland Tarakai, a prominent businessman, said that if these actions were not stopped immediately, a protest movement would be launched in all tobacco-growing districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Muhammad Ishfaq Advocate, the Razaar tehsil president of Awami National Party, said that businessmen were not against taxes, but were opposed to ‘cruel taxation’ measures, which caused them huge losses. “If such a policy continues, many farmers will stop growing tobacco,” he added.

Finally, the convention ended with a declaration, which said that the farmers would go to any extent to save their crops, livelihood and rights because their survival was at stake and they wanted the government to let them conduct their business in an honourable way.

They unanimously declared that the current year was very critical and feared that during the purchasing season numerous problems would be faced by the growers.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026