PPP legislators to defend tax-free status of Malakand

The PPP legislators from Malakand Division Tuesday vowed to resist any change in the tax-free status of the Provincially Administered Tribal Area (Pata), saying their political career has put on stake in the region. The matter was raised by Badshah Saleh and Syed Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha, PPP legislators from Dir Upper and District Malakand through point of orders on the floor of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
Speaking on a point of order Badshah Saleh diverted the attention of the house towards the press reports about changing Pata status of the Malakand Division. He warned the government against any change in the existing status of the region. He said that the government is working on a plan to change the status of the region and the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SARON) is also on board in the matter. However, he said that any attempt of change in the status could trigger anarchy leaving bad affects on the popularity of the both ruling coalition parties of the province.
Badshah Saleh said that that such kind of adventures had left long repercussions and affects on the situation of the area. He said that after change in the status all kind of taxes would also be extended to the area, saying the people of Malakand would not accept it any circumstances.
Syed Mohammad Ali Shah, another PPP legislator from the region said that the rumours have put their political career at stake and asked the government for clearing the situation for once and ever. In response to the point of orders, the Provincial Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussein will take steps in the national interest and will do nothing against the interest of the electorates. He termed the rumours as totally rubbish. He said that situation in the country, could not be changed on the wishes of some people. He said that Kala Dhaka has been declared a district and debate on the status of the Federally Administered Tribal Area is continued.
The province, the spokesman of the provincial government said, is passing through a difficult time and people are raising questions on such issues. He said that the government has succeeded in the restoration of peace in the Swat and now political activities have also been revived. Mian Iftikhar said that the provincial government after the restoration of peace has given a new system to the people of the area and will not take any step against the interest of the people.
Meanwhile, in response to a question of Mufti Said Janan of JUI-F regarding the violation of the code of conduct and use of drug by the drivers and cleaners, the Mian Iftikhar Hussein, who also holds the portfolio of the transport, said that no drug addict would be allowed to be employed as driver or cleaner in commuters' vehicles in the province. The minister directed the authorities of the bus stands and transporters not to hire drug addicts as drivers and cleaners of their vehicles. He warned that any one found showing leniency in this regard would face stern action. The Speaker Kiramatullah Khan who was presiding the session, said that the driving licences of drivers and route permits of such vehicles should be cancelled and called for issuance of formal directives in this regard.