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ISLAMABAD:
The PTI on Thursday denounced what it called an “unjust” taxation system imposed on the long-neglected former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) without fulfilling the promises of peace, development and complete integration.
In a news conference at the Parliament House, PTI leaders warned that the region could not be treated as a revenue source while its people were denied basic services, security and constitutional rights.
The senior PTI figures also demanded an immediate release of party founder Imran Khan, linking the alleged suppression of judicial independence to his continued detention. They urged the judiciary to assert its autonomy and called for an end to political victimization.
During the news conference, former speaker of the National Assembly and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser raised critical concerns regarding judicial independence and the “unjust taxation imposed” on FATA.
Expressing deep concern over the state of the judiciary, a party statement said, the former NA speaker stated that the judiciary was under undue influence, “demanding the immediate release of judges and their freedom to perform their duties without interference.”
Qaiser claimed that Imran Khan was being “unlawfully detained” and called for his legal rights to be upheld. “The judiciary must stand firm for its own authority,” he said while strongly condemning any alleged interference in judicial matters.
Turning to taxation in FATA issue, Qaiser criticized the government for imposing taxes without justification. “Until peace is restored and a level-playing field is established, no taxes should be imposed,” he asserted, adding that the people of FATA would willingly pay taxes if the government ensured stability.
He also highlighted “the unfulfilled promise of Rs1,000 billion for FATA’s development,” vowing that PTI would continue to resist this injustice alongside the people of the region.
Junaid Akbar, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President, also condemned the government’s neglect of FATA, recalling that Rs100 billion was supposed to be allocated annually for development after the merger. “Instead, the people face extortion and unjust taxes while the wealthy have left the region,” he said, calling the taxation policy cruel and unacceptable.
PTI leader Atif Khan pointed out the direct impact of FATA’s instability on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that the government was unfairly targeting FATA for revenue collection while failing to curb smuggling. He also criticized the exorbitant electricity bills and the new taxes on solar energy, saying the government had completely mismanaged the energy crisis.
MNA Iqbal Khan Afridi highlighted the severe economic struggles of FATA’s residents, claiming that petrol was being sold at Rs350 per liter while people struggle to afford basic necessities. He urged the government to engage in dialogue and consider a referendum to address the region’s grievances, proposing fair revenue mechanisms instead of blanket taxation on the impoverished population.
The PTI leaders reaffirmed their commitment to justice, judicial independence and the rights of FATA’s people, demanding Khan’s release, the suspension of unjust taxes, fulfillment of development promises and relief for citizens burdened by rising costs.
