FATA PATA taxes should be withdrawn, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam said on Tuesday at the Parliament House in Islamabad.
Muqam opposed the new taxes on the merged and tribal areas during a press conference. He said the people of FATA and PATA already faced hardship, insecurity and lack of basic facilities.
The minister urged the federal government to reverse the decision during consideration of the Finance Bill.
Muqam said tax exemptions granted after the merger should not be withdrawn. He said the tribal districts still faced problems in development, jobs and law and order.
Read: KP Deficit Budget Linked To Rs121bn Merged Districts Gap
He added that roads, education and health facilities remained inadequate in the affected areas. Muqam said the concerns of FATA and PATA residents had been placed before the Prime Minister.
He said a special concession had also been requested for the regions. The minister warned that tribal people should not be forced into protest over a further financial burden.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Zahid Khan said promises made during the merger had not been fulfilled. He said new taxes in the current situation would add pressure on the people of the tribal areas.
