SWABI, Nov 8: The Swabi Qaumi Mahaz (SQM) has joined the transporters in their protest against the construction of a toll tax plaza by the Frontier Highway Authority on the Swabi-Mardan road.

The protesters, led by the SQM chairman and MPA-elect Dr Salim, marched from Shewa Adda to Adina Bridge after the Friday prayers. Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s MNA-elect, Mohammad Usman advocate, was also among the marchers. He assured the transporters of his support.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr Salim said: “We have registered our resentment against the unrealistic and unjustified taxes on the people. A memorandum would be presented to the administration asking it to abandon the idea of collecting tax on the Swabi-Mardan road.”

The previously collected tax was Rs15 per trip from heavy vehicles and Rs3 from tongas. And now, the administration is planning to construct a permanent toll tax plaza on this road.

The contractor for tax collection, Haji Rehmanullah, ex-ANP MNA, has appealed to the NHA authorities and the provincial government to cancel his contract as it had put his career at stake, Dr Salim told this correspondent.

Dr Salim said that he had also contacted the MMA’s nominee for chief minister’s slot Akram Khan Durrani and Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah in this regard on Thursday.