KHYBER
On protest of locals the toll plaza was removed, erected at Pak-Afghan highway, in Ali Masjid area of Tehsil Jamrud on Friday.
Zwan Koki Khel, a youth organization in Jamrud had warned that their volunteers would forcebly demolished the toll plaza.
However in a meeting, held with Addettioal Assistant Commissioner, Jamrud Mr Naseem, the tribesmen were assured that the management of the toll plaza were immediately stopped of collecting tax.
A volunteer of the organization said that till evening the toll plaza will removed.
The protestors were of the view that instead of working for relief and development of the tribesmen of Khyber, the government imposed what they said unlawful taxes on them that was unfair.
Tehsil Chairman, Landi Kotal Haji Shah Khalid while rejecting the setting up of the toll plaza said that for the last three weeks the Pak Afghan sharing border, Torkham had been suspended for all types of movement that deprived the locals of earning three times meals.
In the meantime establishing a toll plaza in Khyber was equal to sprinkle salt on the tribal wounds, he opined.
He maintained, the National Logistic Cell (NLC) collects billion rupees annually in form of various taxes but doesn’t spend a penny on the welfare of the local people.
The locals were deceived on the pretext of restoring the highway, he added.
As per the toll plaza managers, the local vehicles will be exempted while tax will be received from transit, export and import loaded trucks.
On the other hand, the operating management of the toll plaza said that they got the contract of the toll plaza legally and with consent of the concerned authorities,they will collect toll tax from the transit vehicles.
It is to be mentioned here that the toll plaza established in Katta Kushta was also demolished by the locals in 2019.
