The Awami National Party (ANP) has strongly opposed the proposed imposition of taxes in Malakand Division, describing the move as unconstitutional and warning of a public protest campaign if the decision is not withdrawn. Speaking at a press conference at the Shangla Press Club in Alpurai on Thursday, ANP Provincial Deputy General Secretary Sikandar Shehzad Khan Advocate urged the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to reverse the proposed taxation measures, arguing that they undermined the region’s special constitutional, legal and historical status.
Constitutional Guarantees at Stake
Khan maintained that Malakand Division enjoyed constitutional protections arising from arrangements made at the time of the merger of the former princely State of Swat into Pakistan and alleged that imposing taxes in the region would violate those commitments. “The constitutional guarantees and historical commitments made to the people of Malakand Division must be respected. Any attempt to impose taxes in violation of those guarantees is unacceptable and will be resisted through democratic and constitutional means,” he said.
All-Parties Conference and Grand Jirga Planned
The ANP leader announced that the party had convened an all-parties conference to discuss the proposed taxation and formulate a joint strategy. He added that a grand jirga involving political parties and other stakeholders would be held at Chakdara on July 13 to finalise a united course of action. Sikandar Shehzad Khan said the ANP would continue raising the issue through democratic and constitutional forums, adding that the party stood with the people of Malakand in opposing what it described as an unjust taxation policy.
Local Grievances Highlighted
Turning to local issues, he pledged the party’s support for campaigns against corruption in Shangla and called for greater transparency and accountability in local governance. He also alleged that despite Shangla’s significant hydropower resources, the district continued to experience prolonged electricity load-shedding and had not received its due share of hydropower royalty. He criticised elected representatives for what he described as their failure to protect the district’s interests in development projects and public services.
Governance and Law Order Concerns
The ANP leader further alleged that the provincial government had failed to address governance and law and order challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claims that were not independently verified. Referring to the recent death of a local resident at the Karora Hydropower Project dam, he alleged that the administration had sought to intimidate residents who staged a peaceful protest after the incident, and reaffirmed the party’s support for lawful public demonstrations.
The press conference was attended by ANP Shangla District General Secretary Muhammad Azam Khan, senior party leaders and local office-bearers.
