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All-Parties Conference Opposes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government's Move on Malakand's Status

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Leaders from various political parties, including the JUI-F, PTI, PML-N, and others, gathered at an All-Parties Conference in Swat district to express their unified opposition to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's plan to change the status of the provincially administered tribal area (Pata) of Malakand division. The conference, organized by the JUI-F, saw participation from prominent figures such as Hazrat Yousuf of the PML-Q, Sher Afgan Kaka of the PTI, and Qavi Khan of the PML-N, among others. The participants warned the provincial government against altering the Malakand division's status, emphasizing that the people of the region would not tolerate any changes that might lead to taxation and duties.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) organized an All-Parties Conference in Swat district to oppose the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's plan to change the status of Malakand's provincially administered tribal area (Pata).
  • Leaders from various political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), expressed their opposition to the government's plan.
  • The speakers emphasized that the people of Malakand division would never pay taxes, as the region has been granted a unique Pata status exempting it from taxes and duties.
  • Maulana Nizamuddin, a former member of the provincial assembly, accused the chief minister of changing the status of Malakand division to fill his own pockets and those of his party's cronies.
  • The conference participants similarly criticized the government's decision to push Malakand into the tax net, citing a conspiracy to collect more money for the benefit of rulers.
  • Abdur Rahim, leader of the Swat traders, said the people of Swat suffered greatly due to the militants, military operations, and the devastating floods of July 28, 2010, yet they received no compensation.
  • Sher Afgan Kaka, a leader of the PTI, stated that his party would oppose any amendment to the blasphemy laws and the government's plan to abolish Malakand's special status.
  • Qavi Khan, district leader of the PML-N, announced that his party would support the government in abolishing the Malakand Levies but opposed the plan to abolish the Pata status of Malakand.

Statistics:

  • More than four million people reside in the Malakand region.
  • The Malakand division has been granted a unique Pata status, exempting it from taxes and duties.
  • The residents of Swat suffered heavy human and financial losses due to the devastating floods of July 28, 2010.

Sources:

  • "MINGORA: All-Parties Conference Opposes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government's Move on Malakand's Status"

by Naveed Khan (The Express Tribune)

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