National ( The cow news digital ) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has warned that the provincial government will launch a strong response if the federal government does not withdraw its decision to impose taxes in the newly merged districts.
Addressing a jirga held against the implementation of federal taxes, the chief minister said the KP government was not collecting any taxes from the merged districts and would continue to protect the interests of local communities.
Sohail Afridi stated that the provincial government has also decided to withdraw the sales tax on services in the Malakand Division. He thanked political parties and leaders for supporting the province’s stance on financial and administrative issues.
The chief minister said political differences were being set aside when it came to public concerns, adding that a new political culture was emerging in the province where leaders were uniting to address common challenges.
He announced that a high-level delegation would be formed to hold discussions with the federal government regarding the tax issue. However, he warned that failure to reverse the decision could lead to a strong public and political reaction.
“We are representatives of the people, and public interests remain our priority,” Afridi said while addressing the gathering.
Speaking about security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chief minister said the provincial government had prepared an action plan to combat terrorism. He claimed that effective implementation of the plan could help restore peace in the province within four months.
Afridi also announced that a separate jirga would be organized to discuss law and order issues and develop further strategies for improving security conditions.
Discussing the province’s financial concerns, the chief minister said another jirga would be held in Islamabad to present Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s financial case before the federal authorities.
He further stated that his decisions were based on public opinion and that he would not compromise on issues affecting the people of the province. Afridi said political authority comes from public support and that any decision rejected by the people could ultimately be reversed.
The dispute over taxation in the merged districts has added to existing tensions between the provincial and federal governments, with local representatives demanding greater consideration of the region’s economic conditions and administrative challenges.
The federal government’s position on the tax measures and any possible negotiations with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities remain key factors in determining the next developments.
