JI wants 10-year tax exemption for Malakand

MINGORA: Deputy provincial chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Inayatullah Khan on Friday asked the government to exempt Malakand division from taxes for another 10 years.

Addressing a press conference here at the Swat Press Club on Friday, he alleged that the government was readying to impose taxes in Malakand division. However, he added, any such move would be opposed if the locals and stake-holders were not taken into confidence.

“Unnecessary vehicle checking is being done at various places. In some bargains, the news of Non-Customs-Paid vehicles being seized is also being spread”, he said, urging the government to extend tax exemption for the Malakand division for another 10 years.

The JI leader said the Malakand division had a special status and also recently the region had been hit by devastating floods, earthquakes and militancy.

He asked the quarters concerned to establish industry, and take solid steps for providing jobs to the educated youth of the region and then ask for any burden on the shoulders of the local inhabitants. “In the year 2018, the elections were rigged for a particular man, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was imposed at the national and provincial level. The JI would come onto the streets if the same practice was repeated,” he warned.

He believed that the Malakand division was the stronghold of the JI and his party would emerge victorious if free and fair elections were held. On the occasion JI leaders from various districts of Malakand division, including Hamidul Haq, Shah Raaz Khan, Akhtar Ali Khan G, Anwaaruddin, Muhammad Naveed, Yaqoob Rahman and Izharullah were also present.