Chitral is shut down today, why?
Mohammad Ilyas Ahmad (Goldur)
CHITRAL: The three princely states of Swat Dir and Chitral recognized Pakistan voluntarily and later in 1969 were annexed to Pakistan as districts of Malakand Division with the status of Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA).
Seeing into the scarce resources and meagre means of living of the area the government of Pakistan had declared it a tax free zone for private business and property owners. Now the government has defied its pledge and on the way to induce tax on small business owners and general public. The people of Chitral strongly condemn it and as a token of agitation throughout the area markets are closed today.
What the government seems to be doing injustice to it’s countrymen is giving more and more privilege to the already rich class and imposing high taxes on the poor communities to fulfill it’s economic liabilities. Higher officials, landlords and politicians all live the life of eastern kings enjoying almost everything for free while poor folk is crushed under high taxes and unbearable heavy duties.
In this run, those countries that are giving loans, aid and alms to our country they’re also responsible for their misused owed money. It’ll give out a long lasting and unsatisfying result. This Malakand Division is a historic region and it is falling into hopelessness.