Peshawar: 16 July 2026
Governor Kundi seeks joint committee to resolve FATA, PATA tax issue
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday reaffirmed his opposition to the newly imposed taxes in the erstwhile FATA and PATA, saying he stood with the people of the province against what he termed "unjust taxes."
He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of industrialists under the banner of the Pakistan Border Trade Council, led by Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry Group Leader and Pakistan Border Trade Council Chairman Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, at the Governor House.
The delegation apprised the Governor of its concerns over the possible negative impact of the taxes, imposed from July 1, on business activities in the erstwhile tribal areas and PATA.
Governor Kundi said the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the merged districts, remained fragile, and imposing new taxes without taking ground realities into account would place an additional burden on the people and the business community.
He said he had already conveyed these concerns to the federal government and remained in contact with the provincial government on the issue. He stressed that the provincial government and all relevant stakeholders should adopt a unified strategy to safeguard the interests of the people and traders.
Referring to a meeting being held at the Chief Minister's House on the issue, the Governor appreciated the initiative of Pakistan Peoples Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha for convening the recent All Parties Conference in Chakdara on the taxation issue.
He said previous provincial governments had failed to effectively utilize resources received under the NFC Award and funds allocated for the war against terrorism due to poor planning.
Governor Kundi urged the provincial government to immediately withdraw the taxes imposed within its jurisdiction and form a joint committee to negotiate with the federal government.
He also called on all political parties to unite in the larger interest of the province and proposed the establishment of a permanent joint committee to address key provincial issues instead of adopting ad hoc measures.
He invited the business community to submit proposals regarding difficulties in obtaining bank loans, assuring them that their concerns would be taken up at the relevant forums.
Paying tribute to the business community, Governor Kundi said traders and industrialists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had continued their economic activities despite terrorism, insecurity and extortion, adding that sustaining businesses under such circumstances was "no less than a struggle."
He warned that the new taxes would not only affect industries in Khyber, Malakand and Mohmand but would also have adverse implications for the province's overall economy.
The Governor also directed officials to immediately contact the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to address admission-related issues being faced by MBBS and BDS students against seats reserved for the merged districts.
Speaking on the occasion, PPP KP President Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha said his party stood at the forefront in opposing the taxation issue and vowed to continue efforts against what he termed unjust taxes imposed by both the federal and provincial governments.
The delegation appreciated Governor Kundi's efforts and role in safeguarding the rights of the people of the erstwhile FATA and PATA and defending the province's interests on the issue.