Revelling in the moment: Wave of relief grips PATA as customs act withdrawn

Resident hail move as massive victory for the region

MINGORA/ SHANGLA/ TIMERGARA: People from all over the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas were smiling from ear to ear as they wholeheartedly welcomed the withdrawal of the Customs Act,1969 from their areas.

In Swat, those celebrating included traders, political leaders and elected members. They were among those delighted over the decision to withdraw the legislation from across Malakand Division.

Beholden to the federal and provincial governments, they said the move was a victory for the Malakand region.

The Swat Traders’ Federation held a news conference at Mingora Press Club and a large number of people and officials were in attendance.

Addressing the gathering, All Parties Action Committee (APAC) representative Fazal Rehman said calling off the extension of the customs act brought a smile to the faces of people across the region. He credited  relentless protests  for forcing the government’s hand and protecting the region from this law.

”Now, we have cancelled the wheel jam strike, which was earlier scheduled for August 5 by a meeting of APAC’s members,” he announced.

Swat Traders Federation President Abdur Rahim said the decision taken to implement the customs act was a taken in haste. He added the region had already suffered greatly at the hands of militancy and natural calamities.

Rahim said although the agricultural and industrial sectors may be lacklustre at the moment, the people of Malakand have a firm resolve to make the region flourish. He added exempting the Malakand Division from the customs act would allow locals to breathe a sigh of relief.

MPA Fazal Hakeem, who was also present on the occasion, said the firm stand taken by the people, traders federations and political leadership paid off and compelled the authorities to reconsider their decision.

“The people of Malakand Division have rendered countless sacrifices for the stability and prosperity of the country,” Hakeem reminded the audience. He said both the federal and provincial governments should now take more steps to acknowledge the sacrifices of the people.

Delight in Shangla

Residents of Alpuri, Shangla thanked the prime minister and president of Pakistan for revoking the extension of the Customs Act, 1969. Dozens of people took to the streets to celebrate the decision by distributing sweets and congratulating each other.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Fida Muhammad said the federal government took a positive step by prioritising the public’s prerogative.

He said the decision was a success for the region as Shangla district was seen as vulnerable as it had been hit by natural calamities such as earthquakes and floods. The JI leader said underprivileged people of the area would be unable to pay heavy taxes.

In Timergara, former Pakistan Peoples Party MPA from Lower Dir, Muhammad Zameen Khan, also congratulated locals from Kohistan and the Malakand Division for withdrawal of the Customs Act.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2016.