LAHORE: The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) on Wednesday hinted at going on strike after October as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has refused to withdraw the SRO-608.
Talking to Customs Today, APAT President Khalid Pervaiz said, “We will announce our strategy after the end of October deadline given to the FBR regarding the withdrawal of SRO-608. We may give a protest call if the FBR will not amend the new taxation on retailers.”
He added, “We are in contact with traders all over Pakistan regarding the possible strike.”
He said the FBR should broaden the tax net and it should also show care towards small traders and retailers. “It is not acceptable at all as it can affect the businesses of retailers and small traders,” Pervaiz said.
He praised the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) resolution and demanded that the FBR withdraw SRO-608.
On Tuesday, LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz said at a meeting, “Shortage of gas and electricity and new taxation measures like SRO-608 are going to create a wrong impression about the government.”
On the other hand, FBR spokesman Shahid Asad said that SRO-608 would not be withdrawn. Asad said, “Retailers should take taxes as their national responsibility. Their behaviour is non-cooperative. This is not in the country’s favour.”
Over 100-150 retailers gathered at the FBR on Wednesday and shouted slogans against the measures being taken to bring retailers into documented regime and amendments in the retailer registration procedure.
They said SRO-608 was not acceptable to the business community.
