SHANGLA: Hundreds of people staged a protest in Aluch Bazaar of Poran Tehsil on Tuesday against the proposed imposition of taxes in Malakand Division, warning that any move to end the region’s tax-free status would trigger wider agitation.

The protest was attended by representatives of political parties, traders, lawyers, transporters, farmers, labourers, youth groups, local elders and civil society members. Participants rejected the proposed taxation measures and demanded that the federal and provincial governments preserve Malakand Division’s historic tax-free status.

Demonstrators marched through different streets of Aluch Bazaar before gathering at the main square. They carried banners and placards calling for protection of the region’s legal and constitutional rights and opposing what they described as unjust taxation on underdeveloped areas.

Speakers said Malakand Division had faced years of hardship due to terrorism, militancy, military operations, natural disasters and weak infrastructure. They said businesses, agriculture, tourism, education and employment had already been badly affected.

They also referred to recent rains, flash floods and landslides that damaged roads, bridges, water supply schemes, farmland and houses across Shangla and other areas of Malakand Division. They said rehabilitation work in many affected areas remains incomplete.

The speakers argued that imposing new taxes during high inflation would further burden low-income families, small traders and local businesses. They urged the government to focus instead on industrial development, tourism promotion, job creation, education, healthcare and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.

At the end of the protest, participants adopted a resolution demanding the withdrawal of proposed taxation measures, protection of Malakand Division’s tax-free status and a comprehensive development package for districts affected by terrorism and natural disasters.

They warned that if their demands were ignored, protests would expand to other districts of Malakand Division through public meetings, rallies and shutter-down strikes.

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