SWAT: The traders’ community of Swat on Thursday joined the ongoing protest movement against the imposition of taxes in Malakand division, announcing support for the September 30 demonstrations and the proposed blockade of the Swat Motorway at Chakdara on October 7.
The announcement was made at a press conference at the Swat Press Club, where presidents of various traders’ organisations including Jameel Ahmed, Abdullah, Fazal Hadi, Fazal Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Roshan Ali, Sajid, Farman Ali, Fareed Khan, Qaiser Sultan, Ant Khan, Hayatullah, Ahmed Ali, Bakht Zeb, Yousaf Khan, Asad and Hussain said the tax issue was not limited to the business community but was a concern for the entire population of Malakand division.
They said the protest movementwould be further organised and strengthened, with the traders working jointly with other sections of society. They called upon political and social organisations and the public to support the traders’ movement against the imposition of taxes.
The traders’ leaders said the people of Malakand division were already facing inflation, unemployment and other economic difficulties, adding that the imposition of new taxes would further increase the financial burden on the people.
They demanded of the government to review its existing taxation policy for Malakand division and withdraw the new taxes being imposed on people.
The speakers said that the government had given assurances regarding a solution to the issue and a review of the taxation policy following public protests, but, according to them, no significant practical progress had been madeso far. This, they said, had caused concern among traders and the public.
The traders also endorsed the announcement by Malakand Division Traders Federation President Haji Abdul Rahim for holding protest demonstrations across the division on September 30 and blocking the Swat Motorway at Chakdara on October 7.
The traders’ representatives said they would continue to cooperate with the president of the Swat Chamber of Commerce and all other institutions and representatives raising their voice against the taxes.
They announced that the protest movement would continue until the taxes were withdrawn and warned that its scope could be expanded, if necessary.
The traders also appealed to political, social and religious organisations, business bodies and people from other walks of life to join the protest movement.