CM Afridi led jirga rejects taxation in merged districts, vows united protest if Islamabad does not reconsider
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to withdraw the Sales Tax on Services in Malakand Division and announced it was not imposing any taxes in the merged districts, following a Grand Jirga convened at the Chief Minister’s House here on Friday.
The Jirga, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and attended by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, provincial cabinet members, senators, heads of political parties, and elected representatives and traders’ leaders from the merged districts and Malakand Division, deliberated at length on the federal government’s decision to impose taxes in the two regions.
Addressing the participants, the chief minister said the purpose of the Jirga was to evolve a unified and collective response to the taxation issue, according a statement issued by CM Secretriate.
“The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not levying any taxes in the merged districts,” Mr. Afridi said. “In the larger public interest, we have also decided to withdraw the Sales Tax on Services in Malakand Division.” He added that public welfare remains the foremost consideration in all government decisions.
The chief minister appreciated political parties for demonstrating unity on provincial matters and said KP was fostering a political culture where stakeholders across the spectrum come together on issues of public importance.
He announced that a high-level delegation would be constituted to take up the matter with the federal government. “If the federal government does not reconsider its decision, all political stakeholders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will stand united with the people and pursue a collective course of action,” he said, adding that the province would also hold public protests and present its case in Islamabad.
The Jirga also discussed the law and order situation. The chief minister said the provincial government had prepared a Provincial Action Plan to counter terrorism and claimed that its implementation could help restore peace in KP within four months.
He said a separate Jirga on law and order would be convened shortly to discuss the pathway to sustainable peace, institutional responsibilities, and measures to improve security.
Mr. Afridi further announced that a major Jirga would be held in Islamabad to advocate for KP’s fiscal rights, including the National Finance Commission Award, Net Hydel Profit, and other outstanding federal liabilities toward the province. He said political leadership and other stakeholders from across the province would be invited to present a united case.
