Charsadda – A large number of rickshaw drivers staged a protest at Farooq-e-Azam Chowk against the newly imposed road tax by the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), blocking traffic at the busy intersection for hours.

Protesters slammed the TMA’s decision to levy a Rs. 100 road tax, calling it unbearable amid record inflation. “On one hand, there’s inflation; on the other, the TMA is imposing unjust taxes. How can we survive?” said one protester.

Drivers claimed they barely earn enough for one meal a day and questioned how they could afford to pay such taxes. The protesters also chanted slogans against traffic police, alleging harassment and excessive fines.

“They fine us Rs. 720—how do we pay that?” lamented another protester. The demonstrators also criticized elected officials for being absent after elections and demanded immediate withdrawal of the road tax, warning that protests would continue otherwise.