Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan has announced that a high-level consultative meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, will be held today to discuss the federal government’s decision to impose taxes in the merged districts and Malakand Division.
According to the minister, invitations have been extended to the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, elected members of the National and Provincial Assemblies from the merged districts and Malakand Division, leaders of all political parties, tribal elders, and representatives of the business community.
Shafi Jan said the meeting aims to formulate a unified, practical strategy through broad-based consultation on the proposed tax regime.
He stated that the federal government’s decision has caused widespread concern among the residents and business community of the merged districts and Malakand Division. He also maintained that the federal government has yet to fulfil its commitments regarding funding for the merged districts under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
The minister noted that while the merged districts have been integrated administratively into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, their financial integration remains incomplete. He added that the failure to allocate the districts’ due share under the NFC has adversely affected development projects and public welfare initiatives.
Shafi Jan urged the federal government to take immediate and effective measures to address the longstanding deprivation of the merged districts, emphasizing that these areas have suffered the most from terrorism and continue to face significant economic and social challenges.
