ISLAMABAD: The government’s tax reform is likely to face resistance as the traders’ community is observing a countrywide strike, with partial support from a few political parties and trade associations. Prior to the strike call, representatives of the traders also visited the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) headquarters on Tuesday in order to express their displeasure to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood about the Tajir Dost Scheme, which was executed in April, and notified tax rates that took effect in the current month.
The political parties throwing weight behind the traders include Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami National Party (ANP).
President of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran’s Sindh chapter Javed Shams claimed that the political leadership has failed to facilitate them, adding they would take part in the nationwide strike. Shams said that all business will be completely closed today in all small and big cities of Sindh. He said “We reject the hike in taxes and electricity bills.”
Government’s Reaction over Strike
Reacting to the nationwide strike, Coordinator to Prime Minister of Pakistan on Implementation and Monitoring, Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, stated that the government will not be pressured by traders and strikes. He invited the traders for talks to address the issue. He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reorganized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), saying that the retail sector must also come under the tax net.
Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also Observe Strike
Many business centres are closed in Punjab following the call of nationwide strike by the Central Traders Association of Pakistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar, traders’ organizations are observing the strike, as different markets remain shut across the city with trade unions demanding the withdrawal of the hike in in tax rates.
