Kohistan people protest decision to implement Customs Act

MANSEHRA: The traders and people of Kohistan on Friday took to the streets
and blocked Karakoram Highway against the decision to impose Customs Act in the district.The traders observed shutdown strike. The protesters gathered at Dubair bazaar and chanted slogans.

The government has decided to extend Customs Act 1969 to Malakand division and Kohistan district earlier this year as other parts of KP are already under this law.

The protesters blocked Karakoram Highway for more than three hours, inconveniencing commuters who remained stranded in hot weather.

Local Member Provincial Assembly Abdul Sattar Khan, addressing the protesters, said that Kohistan was a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rich in resources and the government has launched mega hydropower projects in the district but it should not disturb peaceful environment over there.

“The government has launched Diamer-Bhasha dam and Dasu hydropower project in Kohistan and our district alone would produce over 10,000 megawatt electricity in near future and if the Customs Act is extended to our district, it may create law and order situation here,” said the lawmaker.

Other speakers said the people might launch civil disobedience movement if
the government didn’t cancel the enforcement of the Customs Act.