FAZAL HAQ
MARDAN: Provincial General Secretary of The Markazi Tanzeem-e-Tajiran and Mardan Chamber of Commerce (MCCI) Group Leader Zahir Shah On Sunday has said that a conspiracy to be economically paralyzed in the name of taxes is underway And traders are being forced to leave business
The hike in the prices of petroleum products has broken the backbone of the traders Unannounced loadshedding of electricity and Sui gas and the rising prices of the day have made the lives of traders inaccessible.
He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the Takhtbhai Press Club,Saddam Khan Khattak, Sajjad Khan and Fazal Haq Khan were also present
He said that the constant rise in prices of electricity, Sui gas, and other essential commodities by the central government has made the lives of the traders inaccessible because the business community is already suffering from various problems and the prices of existing petroleum products Increasing the traders’ difficulties have increased.Provincial General Secretary of The Markazi Tanzeem-e-Tajiran Zahir Shah further said that the government should immediately provide relief to the traders, exempt taxes, and announce a special package for them The business community is the backbone of the country’s development, so they should be given maximum facilities so that they can play a vital role in the development of the country
He called on the government to immediately eliminate the unannounced load shedding of electricity and gas immediately so that the business of the traders would not be further damaged
He said that if the government did not take effective steps to end inflation and unemployment, the business community would be forced to march towards Islamabad, which would be responsible for the central government He added that sales tax should be reduced from 17 % to single digits, sales tax on flour, sugar, and food items should be eliminated, and income tax and all other tax rates by at least 50 % To reduce.He added that the government should reduce interest rates by 4 % and provide interesting business loans to traders.The business community has also held nationwide protests and strikes against the increase in taxes and electricity prices,In which the government has demanded that the increase in electricity bills be withdrawn and the tax rate should be reduced Take serious steps, so that economic development in the country can be stabilized,
On this occasion, he described the (PECA) Act as a brutal act and a blow to the freedom of expression He said that through this law, the basic right to freedom and expression is being stripped of citizens
In response to a question, he said that amendments to the (PECA) Act would affect freedom of expression and the government should immediately abolish this legislation.
He also emphasized that the approval of the Electronic Crime Prevention (Amendment) Bill 2025 is condemnable, as it will further restrict freedom of expression by setting up authorities under the executive control.
Zahir Shah called on the government to withdraw the law and respect the basic rights of the citizens Earlier, he congratulated the newly elected cabinet of the Takht Bhai Press Club and hoped that the newly elected cabinet was the voice of the oppresse Sir will play a vital role in reaching the houses of power.
