Syed Zahid Jan
UPPER DIR: Former MNA and parliamentary leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, in National asaembly Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, has said that the people of Upper Dir, including Malakand Division, are not ready to accept the proposed income tax and other taxes by the government. He urged the leaders of the three ruling parties, Muslim League (N), People’s Party, and PTI, to use their influence on Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif to withdraw the tax imposition, otherwise, the people will be forced to take extreme measures. Addressing the other day Saibzada Tariq Ullah expressed their views during a press conference along with JI district leaders. He said that Malakand Division is one of the most backward areas of the country, lacking basic facilities like roads, hospitals, universities, and other ficilities. He said that when the three Ex-states, Dir, Chitral, and Swat merged with Pakistan, at that time the than rullers was accordingly made an agreement government would not be impose taxes on ex-states Swat,Dir and Chitral presentlly Malakand division for 99 years.he added.
Tariq Ullah said that although the people of Malakand Division are willing to pay taxes, they demand that the government should first provide basic facilities to the area. He warned that if the government tries to impose taxes without providing facilities, it will face strong resistance from the people. He also mentioned that in 2017, he had moved a resolution in the National Assembly to exempt the area from taxes for five years, which was accepted by the Muslim League government, and later extended in 2023, which will expire on June 30.
Tariq Ullah demanded that the leaders of the ruling parties, including Bilawal Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, and Imran Khan, should use their influence to stop the government from imposing taxes on Malakand Division. He warned that if the government does not listen, the people will be forced to take extreme measures, like the complete shutdown strike observed by the traders’ community a few days ago. He said that the government should not create a situation like the one in Azad Kashmir a few days ago, where the people were forced to take to the streets to demand their rights.”
