PESHAWAR: The FATA Steel Industrial Association has strongly opposed the federal government’s decision to impose a 10% tax on industries in the former tribal areas in the 2025-26 budget.
During a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, association leaders, including Wajid Afridi, Malik Majeed, and Raheel Afridi, called the tax “unjust” and warned of protests if it is not withdrawn.
They reminded the government that a committee led by Sartaj Aziz had promised tax exemption for FATA from 2018 to 2028, which was approved by the National Assembly. They accused the PML-N government of ignoring this pledge, calling it “peak cruelty.”
The association claimed that only 20% of industries remain operational in ex-FATA due to poor infrastructure, lack of industrial zones, and no basic facilities. They demanded an industrial package to boost jobs and threatened a protest movement if their demands are ignored.
