MULTAN: The Central Organization of Traders (Markazi Tanzeem Tajiran) and the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, two of the country’s leading traders’ associations, have announced a nationwide shutter-down strike on August 28. The move is in protest against what they describe as “anti-business” policies, including the so-called trader-friendly scheme, soaring electricity prices, and the imposition of heavy taxes.
Speaking at a press conference, Mohammad Kashif Chaudhry, President of the Central Organization of Traders, strongly criticized the government’s trader-friendly scheme, labeling it as unworkable and rejecting it outright. He called for the immediate withdrawal of the scheme and the abolition of withholding taxes on essential commodities such as pulses and flour. Chaudhry further demanded a review of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), accusing them of exploiting the nation’s resources.
Ajmal Baloch, President of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, along with other key leaders including Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, Sharjeel Mir, and Sharafat Ali Mubarak, echoed these demands. They urged the government to roll back the recent increases in electricity and gas prices, as well as to abolish the slab system applied to utility bills. The leaders condemned the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) SRO G-236 and H-236, calling them detrimental to the economy and demanded their immediate withdrawal. The traders also called for the curtailment of what they described as the FBR’s “unlimited powers,” accusing the tax authority of rampant corruption.
In addition to these demands, the traders called for an end to the perks and privileges enjoyed by high-ranking government officials, including free electricity, gas, and fuel allowances. They argued that the ruling elite should now bear the burden instead of the traders and the general public. The leaders further called for the repatriation of assets held abroad by those named in the Dubai Leaks and other financial scandals.
Kashif Chaudhry and Ajmal Baloch also criticized the heavy taxation on the export sector and demanded its reversal. They urged the government to rollback recent changes to income tax slabs for private salaried individuals and traders, and to increase the income tax exemption threshold in line with inflation. The traders also demanded the reversal of new taxes imposed on the real estate and construction sectors, along with the restoration of the gain period.
Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan, being an Islamic country, cannot sustain an interest-based economy and called for its immediate elimination to ensure economic stability. He reiterated that the so-called trader-friendly scheme has failed miserably, despite the FBR’s claims to the contrary, and warned that any attempt by the FBR to collect advance taxes from markets under this scheme would be met with strong resistance.
The traders’ associations have unanimously decided to observe a nationwide shutter-down strike on August 28 to protest against these “anti-business” policies.
