Workers of Walton Tobacco Company appeal AJK CJ to take notice of factory’s closure

Islamabad:  Hundreds of employees and workers of Walton Tobacco Company appealed to the Chief Justice of Azad Kashmir to take notice of what they said the illegal closure of the factory.

The workers demanded immediate  de-sealing of the premises as families of more than 400 workers are facing difficult conditions due to workers being unemployed following the closure.

The workers appealed to the Chief Justice of Azad Kashmir for justice saying they were the victims of exploitation and were suffering due to the administration’s illegal act.

Spokesman Walton Tobacco Company Arif Zia said that they are receiving threats of serious consequences from the administration of Azad Kashmir.

He further said that Walton is the highest tax-paying company in Azad Kashmir, which pays 240 million rupees to the national exchequer every month.

Arif Zia informed the media at a press conference earlier this week that his company was raided illegally, was subsequently sealed while all the products were seized.

Leaders of factory workers Muhammad Ali and Umar Ahmed said AJK government’s indifferent attitude was disappointing as they did not follow the due process. The government’s action was biased and based on unfounded assumptions. 

They said that the factory owners were treated like thieves, which is discouraging for the highest taxpayers and would result in discouraging investor entering AJK market. 

Arif Zia said that unemployment rate is increasing in Azad Kashmir due to these factors on part of Azad Kashmir government.

Earlier, workers and employees of Walton Tobacco Company held a protest demonstration at Rawalpindi Road outside the factory in Mirpur Chatrapadi, and demanded the administration to immediately de-seal the factory.

They warned the administration to expanding the scope of their protest movement in order to win their jobs and normal life back to their families who were suffering. The workers said their families could not celebrate Eid because the factory was sealed during the holy month of Ramadan.

Walton Tobacco Company spokesperson Arif Zia said that the Azad Kashmir government should first crackdown against sale of illegal cigarettes in the market.