SWAT: Federal Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Amir Muqam has called for the immediate withdrawal of all federal and provincial taxes imposed on the former FATA, PATA, particularly the Malakand Division, citing the region's prevailing security and economic conditions.

Addressing a meeting of PML-N Malakand Division in Swat, Muqam said the people of the region had made immense sacrifices during years of terrorism and insecurity and should not be subjected to additional financial burdens.

A resolution unanimously passed at the meeting urged the federal and provincial governments to withdraw all taxes imposed on Malakand Division. The participants also expressed full support for the ongoing peaceful protests against the taxes.

Muqam recalled that in 2016 he had taken the issue of Malakand Division before then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, which led to the withdrawal of the Customs Act from the region. He thanked Nawaz Sharif for that decision and also appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for repeatedly extending the area's tax exemption, expressing hope that the policy would continue.

He said that after the merger of the former FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, his efforts ensured that PATA also remained covered under tax exemptions. According to him, he had spent the past decade working to protect the constitutional and economic rights of the people of Malakand Division.

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Muqam maintained that discussions on taxation could only take place once the region enjoyed the same level of peace, development and public services as other parts of the country. Under the current circumstances, he said, the imposition of taxes was unacceptable.

The federal minister also praised the peaceful campaign launched by traders, civil society organisations and other political parties against the taxes, saying PML-N would continue to stand with the people in every democratic and constitutional struggle for their rights.

The meeting was attended by party office-bearers, lawmakers and local leaders from across Malakand Division. A resolution presented by MPA Muhammad Rashad Khan reiterated the demand for the immediate withdrawal of all taxes imposed on Malakand Division and called for the continuation of the region's constitutional and legal concessions.