Traders observe strike against increase in taxes, electricity & gas bills across country
ISLAMABAD: The traders’ community observed a nationwide strike on Wednesday against the increase in taxes, electricity and gas bills.
Ajmal Baloch, President of the All Pakistan Traders’ Association, stated that no negotiations are underway with the government, and the strike was being observed across Pakistan.
Markets from Karachi to Khyber remained shutdown in response to the traders’ call.
The political parties including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami National Party (ANP) supported the traders’ strike.
In Punjab, most of the cities have completely shut down all business centers in response to the nationwide strike called by the Central Traders Association of Pakistan.
Across Sindh, cities including Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Sajawal, and others participated in the strike, with central commercial areas and businesses of all sizes closed.
Sindh Traders Association President Waqar Memon criticized the government’s “anti-business policies,” citing monthly taxes, withholding taxes, and professional taxes.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, traders’ organizations observed the strike, with various markets across the province remaining closed. Trade unions demanded the withdrawal of increased power bills and a reduction in tax rates. Strike was also held in Mansehra, Bajaur, Charsadda, Kirk, Bannu and Malakand.
In Balochistan, too, traders kept their shops and businesses closed in protest across cities including Quetta, Hub, Harnai and Mastung, among others.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Kashif Chaudhry, Central President of the Anjuman-e-Tajiran, dismissed the government’s negotiations as a “drama” and confirmed the strike.
He emphasized that traders are united in their demand for lower electricity prices and a reassessment of the IPP agreements, describing the strike as a necessary step to correct the economic system.
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial assured traders that their “legitimate” demands would be addressed but ruled out the withdrawal of the Tajir Dost Scheme.
In a virtual meeting with traders from several cities including Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, and Peshawar, Langrial reiterated that the traders’ valid demands would be met, but maintained that the Tajir Dost Scheme would remain in place.
He also noted that Pakistan is one of the few countries where retail and wholesale tax is not levied, arguing that it is not feasible to tax the weak more than the powerful.