SWAT: In all 9 districts of the largest Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a historic shutter-down strike was held against the abolition of the separate constitutional status of Malakand division and the imposition of taxes, and during this time all business establishments and commercial centers remained closed.
The business community threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement in the next phase.
According to the details, the constitution has been amended by the government to abolish the separate constitutional status of Malakand Division (PATA) by abolishing the articles 246 and 247 of the constitution.
Under which all types of taxes will be applicable in all districts of Malakand Division Swat, Buner, Shangla, Malakand, Dir Upper, Dir Lower, Chitral Upper, Chitral Lower and Bajaur from 1st July 2024.
On the call of Abdurrahim, president of Malakand Traders Federation against this move of the government, a historic shutter down strike was conducted across the division on Tuesday and during this time all commercial centers, business establishments, small and big industries, markets and bazaars remained completely closed.
For the first time, the chemist community and the hotel community also participated in this historic strike, while Peshawar High Court Mingora Bench Bar Association, Khyber Bar Council and District Bar Associations of all districts also fully supported the strike of the business community, and the lawyers didn’t not pursue cases while boycotting.
On the other hand, the private schools associations also closed the educational institutions in all the districts and a holiday was announced in the schools.
Talking to the media on this occasion, Malakand Division Traders Federation President Abdurrahim said that due to the incompetence of the members of the assembly, the government has abolished the separate constitutional status of FATA as well as PATA, which we do not accept under any circumstances. Neither are we ready to implement Income Tax and Sales Tax in Malakand Division.
He said that Malakand division is a tax free zone and we kindly appeal to the government not to impose more economic burden on the people of this region affected by terrorism, earthquake and natural calamities. Otherwise we will be forced to rebel against the government and lead a civil disobedience movement and then all the responsibility of which will fall on the current rulers and officials.
