KP Assembly rejects new federal taxes in Malakand, merged districts

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Sunday unanimously passed a resolution opposing the imposition of new taxes in Malakand division and the merged districts.

The resolution was moved by ruling party MPA Dr Hamid Ur Rehman and was jointly supported by treasury and opposition members.

Lawmakers said the federal government should not impose new taxes on areas that have long enjoyed a special tax status due to their constitutional and administrative history.

Leader of the Opposition Dr Ibadullah Khan said any attempt to impose taxes on Malakand division would be strongly resisted.

He said there would be no compromise on the rights of the people, the region’s constitutional tax exemption and its historic status.

Dr Ibadullah Khan said the people of Malakand had faced terrorism, earthquakes, floods and prolonged economic hardship, adding that additional taxes on the region would amount to economic injustice.

Treasury MPA Ubaid-ur-Rehman also rejected the imposition of federal taxes in Malakand and said the region’s roads had remained in poor condition for the past 20 years.

Lawmakers from both sides said the government should protect the tax exemptions available to the Malakand division and the merged districts instead of adding to the financial burden on residents.

The assembly unanimously adopted the resolution, reflecting rare agreement between the treasury and opposition on the issue.