ISLAMABAD: Traders in Islamabad on Tuesday warned of large-scale protests, including road blockades and the possibility of a nationwide shutdown, if the government does not withdraw the mandatory installation of Point of Sale (POS) systems, which they termed a “black law.”
The warning was issued by the All Pakistan Traders Association and the Traders Action Committee Islamabad, which set January 16 as the deadline for reversing the policy. Trader leaders cautioned that major intersections in the federal capital would be blocked if their demands were not addressed.
Addressing a protest rally, All Pakistan Traders Association President and Traders Action Committee Islamabad head Ajmal Baloch accused the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of unfairly targeting small traders through forced POS installations and shop sealings, vowing strong resistance against such measures.
The protest rally, attended by a large number of traders from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, marched from Aabpara Chowk toward the FBR offices but was stopped by heavy police deployment. Traders later staged a sit-in at the site, where leaders of various trader bodies addressed the gathering.
Baloch alleged widespread corruption within the system, claiming that corrupt elements were now using the POS policy to harass traders and extract bribes. He also cited an IMF report to highlight the scale of corruption in the country.
Meanwhile, FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial assured traders that those unable to afford POS systems would be given relief and would not be harassed. A traders’ delegation led by Central Organisation of Traders Pakistan President Kashif Chaudhry met the FBR chairman on Monday to convey concerns regarding harassment, rising costs and operational difficulties faced by small businesses due to the enforcement of the POS system.
Chaudhry noted that while large brands and chain stores are better equipped to adopt POS systems, smaller businesses lack the infrastructure, trained staff and financial capacity, resulting in increased costs, penalties and shop sealings that have created fear and uncertainty among traders.
