Day: July 9, 2026

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has written a letter to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to reconsider the proposed withdrawal of tax exemptions for the merged districts (MDs) and Malakand Division.

In his letter, he said the move has caused widespread public concern and that the KP Assembly has already expressed reservations over the proposal.

In his letter said the provincial government supported a fair taxation system and emphasized the importance of ensuring that any policy changes take into account the unique socio-economic conditions of the merged districts and Malakand Division.

Sohail Afridi said the merged districts had joined KP under a framework aimed at supporting their long-term development and integration.

He noted that the province continued to bear significant responsibilities for maintaining law and order, counterterrorism efforts, rehabilitation of affected areas and reconstruction of infrastructure.

The CM said KP, as the country’s frontline province in the fight against terrorism, had suffered considerable human, economic and infrastructure losses.

He added that the closure of border trade with Afghanistan, along with underdevelopment, inadequate infrastructure and energy shortages, continued to affect the region’s economy.

Afridi said the tax exemption for the merged districts and Malakand Division had been introduced to promote investment, create employment opportunities and accelerate economic development.

He maintained that the socio-economic conditions that formed the basis for these incentives largely remained unchanged.

The CM said withdrawing the tax exemption at this stage could discourage investment, slow economic recovery and place an additional burden on local businesses.

He also noted that the KP Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to defer the proposed tax measures.

Sohail Afridi appealed to the Prime Minister to postpone the proposed withdrawal of tax exemptions for the merged districts and Malakand Division and retain the existing incentives until there was clear improvement in the economic and development indicators of the region.

He expressed hope that the federal government would make a positive decision in the larger public interest.

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has written a letter to the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to reconsider the proposed withdrawal of tax exemptions for the merged districts (MDs) and Malakand Division.

In his letter, he said the move has caused widespread public concern and that the KP Assembly has already expressed reservations over the proposal.

In his letter said the provincial government supported a fair taxation system and emphasized the importance of ensuring that any policy changes take into account the unique socio-economic conditions of the merged districts and Malakand Division.

Sohail Afridi said the merged districts had joined KP under a framework aimed at supporting their long-term development and integration.

He noted that the province continued to bear significant responsibilities for maintaining law and order, counterterrorism efforts, rehabilitation of affected areas and reconstruction of infrastructure.

The CM said KP, as the country’s frontline province in the fight against terrorism, had suffered considerable human, economic and infrastructure losses.

He added that the closure of border trade with Afghanistan, along with underdevelopment, inadequate infrastructure and energy shortages, continued to affect the region’s economy.

Afridi said the tax exemption for the merged districts and Malakand Division had been introduced to promote investment, create employment opportunities and accelerate economic development.

He maintained that the socio-economic conditions that formed the basis for these incentives largely remained unchanged.

The CM said withdrawing the tax exemption at this stage could discourage investment, slow economic recovery and place an additional burden on local businesses.

He also noted that the KP Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to defer the proposed tax measures.

Sohail Afridi appealed to the Prime Minister to postpone the proposed withdrawal of tax exemptions for the merged districts and Malakand Division and retain the existing incentives until there was clear improvement in the economic and development indicators of the region.

He expressed hope that the federal government would make a positive decision in the larger public interest.

Sargodha: Commissioner Sargodha Division Hafiz Shoukat Ali chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review ongoing local government initiatives, community development programmes and measures aimed at improving civic amenities and public services across the division.

According to the spokesperson for the Commissioner’s office here, the meeting assessed the progress of development projects, basic municipal facilities, community welfare programmes and the delivery of public services.

On the occasion, Director Local Government Asif Iqbal briefed the meeting on the status of various projects and outlined the roadmap for their timely completion.

Addressing the participants, Commissioner Hafiz Shoukat Ali directed all departments to ensure that development and community development schemes are completed within the stipulated timelines without compromising on quality.

He stressed that the provision of basic public facilities remains a top priority of the Punjab government and instructed all relevant departments to strengthen coordination for the prompt resolution of public issues.

The commissioner also ordered continuous monitoring of civic development projects to ensure residents receive improved municipal services and a cleaner, more organised urban environment.

He stressed that effective implementation and close supervision are essential to enhancing the quality of life for citizens across the division.

Sargodha: Commissioner Sargodha Division Hafiz Shoukat Ali chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review ongoing local government initiatives, community development programmes and measures aimed at improving civic amenities and public services across the division.

According to the spokesperson for the Commissioner’s office here, the meeting assessed the progress of development projects, basic municipal facilities, community welfare programmes and the delivery of public services.

On the occasion, Director Local Government Asif Iqbal briefed the meeting on the status of various projects and outlined the roadmap for their timely completion.

Addressing the participants, Commissioner Hafiz Shoukat Ali directed all departments to ensure that development and community development schemes are completed within the stipulated timelines without compromising on quality.

He stressed that the provision of basic public facilities remains a top priority of the Punjab government and instructed all relevant departments to strengthen coordination for the prompt resolution of public issues.

The commissioner also ordered continuous monitoring of civic development projects to ensure residents receive improved municipal services and a cleaner, more organised urban environment.

He stressed that effective implementation and close supervision are essential to enhancing the quality of life for citizens across the division.

Bahawalpur: Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia visited the Bahawalpur Small Industrial Estate to review the area’s sewerage conditions, sanitation arrangements, and the availability of basic civic facilities.

During the inspection, the commissioner directed the Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to ensure an early and sustainable solution to the longstanding sewerage issues so that the difficulties being faced by industrialists, workers, and local residents could be resolved. Director Small Industrial Estate Rao Munir Ahmed, Managing Director WASA, Director Development, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation, and representatives of factory owners were also present.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia observed that persistent sewerage problems have created serious inconvenience for factory owners, industrial workers, and the surrounding community. He instructed all relevant departments to adopt a coordinated strategy and take immediate practical measures to implement a permanent solution to the issue.

The Commissioner also directed Director Small Industrial Estate Rao Munir Ahmed to further improve cleanliness and sanitation within the industrial estate. He emphasized that all available resources should be utilized to provide factory owners, employees, and visitors with a clean, safe, and healthy working environment.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia reiterated that the provision of quality civic infrastructure and municipal services is essential for promoting industrial growth and improving the working environment. He emphasized that resolving sewerage issues and maintaining high standards of cleanliness would remain among the administration’s priorities to facilitate economic activity and enhance public convenience in the industrial estate.

Bahawalpur: Commissioner Bahawalpur Division Irfan Ali Kathia visited the Bahawalpur Small Industrial Estate to review the area’s sewerage conditions, sanitation arrangements, and the availability of basic civic facilities.

During the inspection, the commissioner directed the Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to ensure an early and sustainable solution to the longstanding sewerage issues so that the difficulties being faced by industrialists, workers, and local residents could be resolved. Director Small Industrial Estate Rao Munir Ahmed, Managing Director WASA, Director Development, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation, and representatives of factory owners were also present.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia observed that persistent sewerage problems have created serious inconvenience for factory owners, industrial workers, and the surrounding community. He instructed all relevant departments to adopt a coordinated strategy and take immediate practical measures to implement a permanent solution to the issue.

The Commissioner also directed Director Small Industrial Estate Rao Munir Ahmed to further improve cleanliness and sanitation within the industrial estate. He emphasized that all available resources should be utilized to provide factory owners, employees, and visitors with a clean, safe, and healthy working environment.

Commissioner Irfan Ali Kathia reiterated that the provision of quality civic infrastructure and municipal services is essential for promoting industrial growth and improving the working environment. He emphasized that resolving sewerage issues and maintaining high standards of cleanliness would remain among the administration’s priorities to facilitate economic activity and enhance public convenience in the industrial estate.