PESHAWAR: Trader bodies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have strongly criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for policies they say are harming businesses and could force traders onto the streets in protest.
Shahzad Ahmed Siddiqui, spokesperson for the Organization of Traders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with a delegation of trade leaders, shared these concerns during a meeting with All Pakistan Traders Association President Ajmal Baloch in Peshawar.
The discussion focused on FBR’s mandatory installation of point-of-sale (POS) devices, issuance of notices to traders, and plans for nationwide demonstrations if the policies are not revised. Traders argued that instead of overburdening existing taxpayers, the FBR should focus on broadening the tax base and targeting larger businesses or “big fish.”
The traders also highlighted ongoing challenges in ex-FATA and PATA, including frequent fines imposed by district administrations and government departments. The closure of trade routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan was cited as another major concern, causing disruptions in cross-border trade worth billions of rupees.
Ajmal Baloch said the All Pakistan Traders Association is coordinating with national bodies to address these issues and announced plans for a nationwide shutter-down strike and protest. The date for the demonstrations will be finalized after consultations with traders’ leadership from all provinces. Baloch also said he plans to visit Peshawar soon to discuss the matter further.
Baloch expressed strong disapproval of the government’s approach, calling it counterproductive and harmful to the economy. “The government is pushing a vital sector of the economy—the backbone of the nation—into protests,” he said, adding that targeting existing taxpayers rather than expanding the tax net is damaging business activity across the country.
