PESHAWAR—A powerful political storm is brewing across the northwestern frontier as regional leaders unite against new financial levies.
A Grand Jirga organized by the Awami National Party (ANP) has formally rejected the imposition of taxes in tribal districts and the Malakand Division, warning of a structured public resistance movement if the decisions are not reversed.
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The grand assembly, held under the auspices of ANP Provincial President Mian Iftikhar Hussain, brought together an influential cross-section of society. The participants included political leaders, members of parliament, legal experts, traders, transporters, hotel associations, and members of civil society.
Following detailed deliberations, the Jirga issued a unanimous declaration stating that enforcing taxes in Malakand and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) openly violates the historic, constitutional, and legal commitments made to the people of these regions. Consequently, they demanded an immediate, unconditional rollback of all tax notifications.
Demanding Resource Rights and Legislative Repeals
The declaration did not just target federal initiatives; it placed tough demands directly on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government as well. The Jirga demanded the immediate repeal of the sales tax implemented in Malakand in 2024, alongside the withdrawal of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sales Tax on Services Regulation 2024.
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Furthermore, the leaders pushed for regional economic sovereignty through three crucial resource demands:
- Mineral Revenue Redistribution: First, the state must spend 60% of all mineral extraction revenues generated in the merged districts directly on the local population.
- Localized Hydel Power Benefits: Next, because Malakand’s seven hydel power projects feed significant electricity into the national grid, the government must guarantee uninterrupted power to Malakand based on local consumption needs.
- Mandatory Local Consultation: Finally, the state must legally recognize meaningful consultation with local elected representatives, traders, lawyers, and political parties before taking any future administrative, legal, or financial decisions.
Also Read: Govt Enforces Historic Tax Regime on Conflict-Hit Frontier Regions
Threat of a Phased Public Movement
Additionally, the assembly called for a dedicated federal and provincial developmental package to rebuild Malakand’s shattered road networks, bridges, communication infrastructure, and tourist spots.
The Jirga made it clear that there would be no compromise on the historic and constitutional rights of the citizens. If both the federal and provincial administrations ignore these public demands, the Jirga will launch a phased, constitutional public protest movement, shifting the full blame of any resulting unrest onto the government.
