SWAT, November 12, 2026: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa North Ameer Inayatullah Khan has announced a protest movement against taxes and the petroleum levy in Malakand Division, accusing Federal Minister Amir Muqam and his party of failing to protect the region’s residents from additional financial burdens.
Addressing a press conference at the party office in Mingora, Inayatullah Khan said JI would mobilise the public and continue opposing the taxes at every available forum until the government withdrew them.
He alleged that Amir Muqam had misled the business community and weakened the campaign against taxation despite being part of the federal government.
The JI leader said a recent divisional jirga had unanimously rejected the taxes, but the government had failed to respond to public concerns.
“If the government is not listening to Amir Muqam, what is the point of his remaining in government?” he questioned.
Inayatullah Khan announced plans to intensify protests during April and May ahead of the federal budget in June.
Expressing concern over inflation, he said the price of a 20-kilogram flour bag had reached Rs3,500, while LPG shortages were adding to household difficulties.
He also criticised the provincial government’s performance, alleging that anti-encroachment operations had damaged properties and deprived thousands of people of their livelihoods.
Referring to the security situation, the JI leader condemned the recent loss of lives in Kohat’s Gambat area and expressed condolences to the affected families.
He claimed that the imposition of governor’s rule had failed to improve security, citing continuing attacks and explosions.
The press conference was attended by JI provincial and district leaders, including Muhammad Haleem Bacha, Muhammad Amin, Hafiz Israr, Sanaullah Farooqi and Sahibzada Tariqullah.