Javed Ur Rehman
Chakdara: Presidents of various Chambers of Commerce from PATA and FATA regions have categorically stated that they have no connection with the protest scheduled for February 8, while strongly criticizing the encashment of pay orders and delay in quota releases for industries in the region.
These views were expressed during a joint press conference by Malakand Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Inamullah, Bajaur Chamber President Haji Lali Shah, Dir Chamber President Syed Noor Alam, along with Bacha, Zohaib Khan, and Sajjada Hamad.
The chamber leaders said that the Chief Commissioner Regional Tax Office (RTO) Peshawar is deliberately using delaying tactics in the release of raw material quotas for PATA and FATA industries, which has resulted in the closure of factories and unemployment of hundreds of workers. They warned that continued delays are not only harming businesses but also causing significant revenue losses to the government.
They alleged that the Chief Commissioner RTO rejects previously utilized quotas of factories and proceeds with the encashment of pay orders (guarantee bonds) without justification. As a result, crores of rupees have been deposited into the government treasury under the guise of pay order encashment, which they termed a grave injustice to the industrial sector.
The chamber presidents further highlighted that despite the availability of cheap hydropower in Malakand, electricity tariffs stand at Rs 28.24 per unit during the day and Rs 36.68 per unit during peak hours. In addition, due to soaring diesel prices, transportation charges for goods to Karachi have reached Rs 28 per kilogram, making production costs uncompetitive and bringing the PATA–FATA industrial wheel to a standstill.
They said the government earns billions of rupees from PATA–FATA industries through 10 percent raw material duty, while crores of rupees are collected monthly through electricity bills. Despite this, they lamented that the region’s industries are being treated “like a stepchild.”
Expressing strong reservations over the policies of the Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and particularly the Chief Commissioner RTO Muhammad Taqi Qureshi, the chamber leaders demanded immediate intervention by both the federal and provincial governments. They warned that businesses and industries in FATA and PATA are “taking their last breaths.”
An important meeting was held at Fishing Hut, Chakdara, chaired by Malakand Chamber President Inamullah. Presidents of chambers and industrialists from Swat, Bajaur, Dir, Waziristan, Kurram, Khyber, Chitral, and other districts attended in large numbers.
The meeting reviewed the deteriorating condition of industries in the tribal districts and strongly criticized the performance and policies of the RTO and FBR. Participants agreed to launch a legal and constitutional struggle, in coordination with parliamentarians, to resolve the issues faced by industrialists.
Inamullah said that most industries in FATA and PATA, including Malakand, have already shut down, adding that dreams of business growth and development cannot be realized under the current circumstances. He further revealed that although a committee was formed by the Chairman FBR comprising seven representatives from FATA and PATA industries, no meeting or consultation has ever been held.
He warned that continued deprivation of rights would not be tolerated and announced that if the issues remain unresolved, the chambers would be left with no option but to launch a full-scale protest.
