Malakand traders to stage sit-in at Chakdara Toll Plaza today against taxes

Shangla  –  The ongoing protest movement against the imposition of various taxes in Malakand Division and any move to alter the region’s special status will enter a decisive phase today (October 7), as traders, trade union leaders, representatives of business communities and other stakeholders from all 10 districts of the division will stage a major sit-in at the Swat Expressway toll plaza in Chakdara.

The protesters will demand the withdrawal of various taxes imposed on the region, restoration and protection of its special status, and implementation of the commitments and assurances made to the local population at the time of the merger of the former princely state of Swat with Pakistan.

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A large number of representatives of traders’ organisations, trade unions and various business sectors are expected to participate in the sit-in. From Shangla, Trade Union President Ikramuddin, Syed Jahan, Muhammad Siraj, Bakht Alam, Muhammad Naeem Khan, Bakht Zaman, Muhammad Shafiq Paracha and Habibullah, along with presidents and cabinet members of different tehsils and local markets, will participate in the protest.

Local elders, trader leaders and other stakeholders said the protest was not merely a traders’ movement but represented broader public concerns regarding taxation, economic conditions and the future of the special status of Malakand Division.

They said the people of the region had historically been provided with a special arrangement concerning taxation and other administrative and economic matters, and that the government should honour the commitments made to them instead of imposing additional financial burdens.

According to local elders, the understanding and memorandum reached between the authorities and the then Wali of Swat at the time of Swat’s merger with Pakistan included assurances regarding the region’s special status, continuation of tax exemptions, and provision of basic facilities, industrial development, employment and development opportunities to the local population on a par with other parts of the country.

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The elders recalled that, at the time of the merger, a considerable number of people and local elders had reservations about the decision. They said a large procession proceeded to the residence of the Wali of Swat, where the people and elders expressed their concerns.

They said the local population was assured that the prevailing circumstances required the area to become part of Pakistan and that the people would subsequently be provided with basic facilities, industrial opportunities, employment and development opportunities equal to those available in other parts of the country.

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The local elders maintained that the people accepted the merger on the basis of these assurances and the understanding that the region’s special arrangements would be protected.

However, they said that instead of witnessing the promised economic development, the people of Malakand Division had faced repeated natural disasters, floods, earthquakes, terrorism, militancy, unrest and other crises over the past several decades.

Trader leaders said these crises had severely damaged local businesses and weakened the economy. They said industrial and commercial opportunities remained limited, while employment opportunities were also insufficient.

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They argued that imposing additional taxes in such circumstances would further weaken the local economy and increase the financial difficulties faced by traders, shopkeepers, businessmen and ordinary citizens.

They demanded that, instead of imposing additional taxes, the government should provide the region with better infrastructure, industrial opportunities, employment facilities and other basic services.

The trader representatives stressed that the issue concerned the entire Malakand Division and could not be restricted to a particular district or only the trading community.

The traders warned that if the government failed to address their demands, the protest movement would be expanded and intensified.

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