Former FATA, PATA should remain tax-exempt until conditions improve: Engr Amir Muqam

SWAT, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2026) Federal Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Engineer Amir Muqam here Sunday called for the immediate withdrawal of all federal and provincial taxes imposed on the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA), particularly Malakand Division, citing the prevailing security and economic conditions.

Addressing a meeting of PML-N Malakand Division in Swat, Engr Amir Muqam said the people of the region had made unparalleled sacrifices during years of terrorism and militancy and should not be subjected to additional financial burdens.

The meeting, attended by party office-bearers and workers from across the division, unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal and provincial governments to revoke all taxes imposed on Malakand division.

The participants also expressed full support for the ongoing peaceful protest movements against the taxes.

Amir Muqam recalled that in 2016 he had presented the case of the people of Malakand Division to then Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, following which the implementation of the Customs Act in the region was withdrawn. He said he remained grateful to Nawaz Sharif for that decision.

He also thanked Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for repeatedly extending the region's tax exemptions and expressed hope that the government would continue the policy.

The federal minister said that following the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, his efforts ensured that PATA continued to enjoy tax exemptions. He added that over the past decade he had consistently worked to safeguard the constitutional and legal rights of the people of Malakand division.

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Engr Amir Muqam maintained that discussions on taxation could only take place once the region enjoyed the same level of peace, development, and public services as the rest of the country.

Under the current circumstances, he said, the imposition of taxes was unacceptable, praising the peaceful protest campaign led by traders, civil society organizations, and other political parties.

He reaffirmed that PML-N would continue to support all democratic and constitutional efforts aimed at protecting the rights of the people.

During the meeting, Member of the Provincial Assembly Muhammad Rashad Khan presented a unanimous resolution calling on the federal and provincial governments to immediately withdraw all taxes imposed on Malakand division and preserve the region's constitutional and legal privileges.

The meeting was also addressed by former provincial minister and former district nazim Muhammad Ali Shah Khan, Malakand district president Sajjad Khan, Lower Dir district president Farooq Khan, Buner general secretary advocate Shah Bakht Rawan, district secretary general Bakht Alam Khan, Swat district president Qawi Khan and Upper Swat president Qaimoos Khan.

Malakand division trade federation President Abdul Rahim, MPA Muhammad Rashad Khan, Malakand Division President Malik Jahanzeb Khan, Swat Division President and former provincial minister Wajid Ali Khan, Muslim Lawyers Forum leader advocate Rahim Shah Khan, Bajaur district general secretary Israili Khan, provincial youth wing general secretary Rashad Khan, and other party leaders also attended.