RAWALPINDI: The business community of the country, criticising the budget, has termed it anti-businessmen and threatened to call a countrywide strike if their proposals are not entertained.
They expressed their serious concerns during All Pakistan Chambers’ Post Budget Conference held in a local hotel which was largely attended by Presidents and representatives of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), and chambers of Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sheikhupora, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Haripur, Chakwal etc and presidents of traders association round the country.
The conference urged the government to immediately repeal imposition of 0.6 per cent withholding tax on banking transactions, Sales Tax Registered Individuals and AOPs which were made income tax withholding agents in 2013, SRO 608 along with its sub section 214-D, whistle blower clauses 177 and 227-B and discretionary powers to tax men which is total misuse of powers causing harassment to business community.
The business leaders called upon government to immediate honour the demands of business community failing which the business community will have no other option but to agitate against the unpopular budget.