Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has pledged to oppose any new taxes imposed by the federal government during his tenure. Speaking at a gathering of the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan in Mingora, Swat, Gandapur criticized the federal government for decisions that he believes are detrimental to the nation and its institutions.

Gandapur asserted that no additional taxes would be imposed on the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as long as he is in power, challenging the federal government’s authority to do so without a mandate or moral standing. He also demanded transparency in the allocation of revenue generated from existing taxes.

Other speakers at the event, including Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, echoed Gandapur’s sentiments, advocating for greater provincial autonomy and condemning alleged electoral fraud. Gandapur’s strong stance against new taxes reflects a growing resistance against federal overreach and a call for greater accountability in governance.

Published in Dawn on June 9th, 2024