MOHMAND: Traders and members of the business community on Wednesday staged a protest at Mian Mandi Bazaar in Haleemzai tehsil of the Mohmand district against the proposed imposition of taxes in the merged tribal districts, demanding of the government to withdraw the decision.

The protesters warned that they would expand their protest and stage a sit-in in Islamabad if their demands were not met.

Addressing the protesters, Mohmand Welfare Organisation president Mir Afzal Mohmand said the people of the merged districts could not accept the imposition of taxes under the prevailing circumstances.

He said that commitments made to the people at the time of the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018 were yet to be fulfilled.

He added that despite the sacrifices rendered by tribes people over the years, they continue to face a host of problems including limited employment opportunities, insufficient healthcare and education facilities and inordinate delay in execution of development projects.

Mr Mohmand said the government should first ensure lasting peace, restore damaged infrastructure, create employment opportunities and honour the commitments made to the residents of the merged districts before introducing any new taxes.

A social worker, Noor Islam Safi, said the region was already grappling with unemployment, inflation and security-related challenges.

He urged the federal government to address the longstanding socioeconomic problems of the merged districts before considering any taxation measures.

The speakers unanimously asked the federal government to withdraw the proposed taxation policy, arguing that additional financial burdens would further strain communities already facing economic hardships.

They warned that if the decision was not reversed, the protest movement would be expanded and a sit-in would be staged in Islamabad.

Chanting slogans against the proposed taxes, the protesters vowed to continue their peaceful struggle for the attainment of their constitutional and economic rights.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026