DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has purportedly started demanding money from sugar mills in Dera Ismail Khan, and threatened to launch armed attacks on factories if their demands are not met.

The chairman of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zone, has written separate letters to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Umar Bukhari, highlighting the grave issue.

According to the contents of the letters, militants allegedly linked to the TTP have been making threatening calls to the general managers of sugar mills in the Ramak area of Dera, demanding that they pay ‘taxes’ to them instead of the government.

The letters further state that failure to comply with these demands has resulted in serious threats, including the possibility of armed attacks on factories.

The situation has caused distress among those working in the area, raising security concerns.

The sugar mills association has urged the authorities to take immediate action to ensure peace and security in Ramak and protect the industry from militant threats.

Authorities have yet to issue an official response to these alarming reports.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025