[wp_ad_camp_1] Traders protest against anti-business measures and government claims patriotic traders rejected strike call
By Zaib Azkaar Hussain
Karachi
The reports say that traders shut down markets across Pakistan; According to the reports and a countrywide shutter-down strike was observed by traders in all part of the country in a protest against the “anti-business measures” taken by the federal government in the budget for the current financial year.
On the other hand it was interesting to note that Federal Minister for economic affairs Hammad Azhar claimed that a large number of traders rejected the shutter down strike and proved themselves patriotic while he said all the fears of the business community will be settled through talks.
In a tweet he stated “I would like to appreciate the majority of shop owners that today rejected the strike call and have shown willingness to change the tax culture of Pakistan. We are in contact with the representatives of trade associations to formulate a workable way forward towards documentation.”
The traders demanded that the “unfair taxes” be withdrawn, especially the value-added tax on traders.
According to media reports, the strike was partially successful in Karachi, while in Peshawar its success rate was 98 per cent, with Lahore and Quetta trailing behind at 90 and 95pc, respectively.
It may be mentioned that the Karachi-based business community and traders were the first to give a nationwide call for the shutter-down strike about three weeks back.
