Pakistan: Traders’ association joins protest against tax hike and increased electricity bills

The Pakistan City Traders Association took part in the nationwide strike against increased electricity bills, rising inflation and a new tax regime known as the Tajir Dost scheme, reports Express Tribune.

According to reports, many major businesses and markets including Liaquatabad, Tariq Road market etc remained closed in Pakistan on Wednesday.

Pakistan Apparel Forum chairman Javed Balwani told The Express Tribune that industries are unable to get raw materials due to the closure of wholesale markets and lack of transportation, which is negatively impacting dyeing and processing activities. Besides, more than half of the workers working in the site area are unable to reach their factories.

Johar Kandhari, president of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, said the strike has had a significant impact on the supply chain of industries in Korangi. Similarly, Faisal Moiz Khan, president of North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry, told The Express Tribune that production activities in the North Karachi Industrial Area have also been disrupted due to the ongoing strike.

The report further said that some petrol pumps remained closed in the city’s suburbs due to the strike. Karachi Electronics Dealers Association President Rizwan Irfan said that 95% of the city’s markets remained closed. he/she stressed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) should eliminate burdensome and unfair taxes. Irfan also called for the immediate cancellation of the Tajir Dost scheme and removal of 13 unnecessary taxes on electricity bills. he/she urged the government to prioritise economic reforms instead of creating hurdles for traders and exporters to compete internationally.

Khwaja Jamal Sethi, head of the All Karachi Traders Alliance, said business activities had come to a standstill due to increased taxes, rising inflation and high utility bills. he/she said the successful strike on Wednesday had sent a clear message to the government, urging it to hold talks to address these economic challenges.

It is worth noting that the FBR chairman had called Pakistani traders for a meeting after they announced their intention to hold a nationwide strike on August 28, Express Tribune reported.