Ex Fata/Pata industrialists protest installation of POS system

PESHAWAR: Industrialists, workers and traders associated with the industries in erstwhile FATA/ PATA staged a protest demonstration in front of the Regional Tax Office Peshawar here on Tuesday.

The protesters chanted slogans against the RTO and rejected the encashment of pay orders and surety bonds and demanded an immediate halt to the actions against the industrial units.

The protest led by Malik Mehar Elahi, President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Traders Association was participated by Shahzad Ahmed Siddiqui, President of the Bakers Association Haji Waris, General Secretary Ashfaq Khan, President of the Tea Association KPK Haji Amjad Khan. General Secretary Shahzad Arif, Mohmand Chamber President Amir Muhammad, FATA/Pata Industries President Shirin Khan, Malakand Federation President Abdul Rahim, Malakand Chamber Inam Khan, Khyber Chamber Khalid Khan, and Kamal Khan

Addressing the protestors, the speakers alleged that industries in the erstwhile FATA/ PATA are in a serious crisis due to the policies of the Federal Board of Revenue and especially Chief Commissioner Peshawar Muhammad Taqi Qureshi.

Due to the quota of raw materials, feeding, consumption and price barriers, while the encashment of guarantee bonds, half of the industries have closed and the industrial estates are showing the scene of ruins.

The speakers said that the Fata/Pata industries provide employment to hundreds of families, but thousands of workers have become unemployed due to delays in the clearance of raw materials.

They demanded the transfer of the Chief Commissioner and warned that the closure of the industries could lead to law and order problems, for which the responsibility lies with the relevant institutions and the government.

The protesters said that due to the distance from the sea, raw materials cost an additional Rs 30 per kilogram, due to which the local industry cannot compete with the industry of other provinces.

They demanded that special incentives be granted to Fata/Pata Industries and that the decision to forcibly install POS devices be withdrawn, otherwise they would be forced to take direct action.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026