Islamabad:
The PTI denounced on Thursday what it called an “unfair” tax system imposed on the old tribal areas administered by the Federal Government (FATA) without keeping the promises of peace, development and complete integration.
At a press conference in Parliament, PTI leaders warned that the region could not be treated as a source of income when its people have been denied basic services, security and constitutional rights.
The figures of the PTI seniors also demanded an immediate release from the founder of the Imran Khan party, connecting the alleged abolition of judicial independence to its continuous detention. They urged the judiciary to assert its autonomy and called for the end of political victimization.
During the press conference, the former president of the National Assembly and the senior official of the PTI Asad Qaiser raised critical concerns concerning judicial independence and “unjust taxation imposed” in FATA.
Expressing a deep concern concerning the state of the judiciary, said a party statement, the former president of the NA declared that the judiciary was under excessive influence, “demanding the immediate release of the judges and their freedom to exercise their functions without interference”.
Qaiser said Imran Khan was “illegally detained” and asked that his legal rights be confirmed. “The judiciary must remain firm for his own authority,” he said while firmly condemning any presumed interference in judicial affairs.
With regard to taxation in the FATA issue, Qaiser criticized the government for having taxed without justification. “Until peace is restored and a playing field is established, no tax should be imposed,” he said, adding that the residents of the Fata would readily pay if the government assured stability.
He also underlined “the unsatisfied promise of 1,000 billion rupees for the development of Fata”, promising that PTI would continue to resist this injustice alongside the inhabitants of the region.
Junaid Akbar, president of the Public Accounts Committee and President of PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also condemned the negligence of the Fata government, recalling that 100 billion rupees were to be allocated annually to development after the merger. “Instead, people are faced with extortion and unjust taxes while the rich have left the region,” he said, qualifying cruel and unacceptable tax policy.
The PTI chief, Atif Khan, underlined the direct impact of Fata’s instability on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that the government was unjustly aimed at FATA for income collection while not limiting smuggling. He also criticized exorbitant electricity bills and new solar energy taxes, saying that the government had completely managed the energy crisis.
The MNA IQBAL KHAN Afrida stressed the serious economic difficulties of the FATA residents, saying that essence was sold to RS350 per liter while people have trouble offering fundamental necessities. He urged the government to engage in a dialogue and to consider a referendum to approach the grievances of the region, offering fair revenue mechanisms instead of general taxation on the poor population.
The leaders of the PTI have reaffirmed their commitment to justice, judicial independence and the rights of the fata people, demanding the release of Khan, the suspension of unjust taxes, the realization of development promises and the alleviation of citizens overwhelmed by the cost increase.
