PHOTO: ZAHOOR AHMED
On the call of various traders’ unions and associations, the community observed a complete shutter-down strike in all major cities, including the provincial capital, and demanded the government nullify the documentation required for better assessment of tax liabilities.
A survey of the metropolis showed that all major commercial and business hubs remained closed in protest against the government’s budget and tax policies. Commercial business hubs, including Mall Road, Shah Alam, Urdu Bazaar, Anarkali, Azam Cloth Market, Badami Bagh, Circular Road, Bernadette Road, Railway Road, Gulberg, Faisal Town, Johar Town and Defence Road, remained closed for all business activities.
Speaking to the media, All Pakistan Traders’ Union Secretary Naeem Mir highlighted that traders have cast their referendum against the government’s poor economic and budget policies.
“The community has always believed in solving problems through dialogue. Prime Minister Imran Khan and his economic team should sit down with the business community to hear our grievances,” he said.
Mir warned that if the government does not acknowledge the demands put forth, the community would be left with no other option than to take to the streets. He maintained that traders will not file their tax returns until their demands are not met.
The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran and several other traders’ association announced a nationwide shutter-down strike from July 13 in protest of the government’s poor economic policies. The leader of the trading community said that the protests would continue if the government fails to meet their demands.
However, many critics have observed that the strike is nothing more than an attempt to blackmail the government into maintaining the status quo and to keep the country’s economy undocumented to avoid legitimate taxes.
Punjab Information Minister Samsam Ali Bukhari said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) wants political confrontation at any cost. “Those levelling allegations against others should also have the patience to lend an ear to the truth,” he said.
Involving the government in every matter is premeditated. PML-N is backing the traders’ community for its own political end, he claimed. He stated that the PTI government has already held negotiations with the trading community and is ready to do so again. “It is imperative to take strict decisions for the betterment of the national economy,” he said.
Prime Minister Imran Khan wants to put the country on the road to progress, prosperity and stability, he maintained.
Meanwhile, Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raja Basharat said that the ‘flop’ strike by certain traders showed that the opposition has lost ground. He maintained that the ‘failure’ of the strike was a win for the PTI-led government as people had expressed their trust in its determination to strengthen the national economy.
“We appreciate the patriotic and sincere traders who rejected the call and supported the government. It shows that the nation has answered the PM’s call, who in turn is struggling to revive our dead economy by focusing on austerity and expanding the tax network,” he said.
“We honour those citizens and traders who pay their taxes honestly,” he said. He also expressed his hope that the realistic policies of the government will bring economic stability in the country and resolve issues being faced by citizens.
In Dera Ghazi Khan
Joining protests across the country, traders in Dera Ghazi Khan also observed a shutter-down strike on Saturday. All shops in the city’s biggest markets, including eateries, remained closed. However, to cater to the needs of patients, medical stores and hotels were open.
President of the trader’s association in DG Khan, Jam Alam Leghari, stated that if the government does not approve the demands presented by the main representatives, then traders will be compelled to continue the protest and strike for an indefinite period of time.
Traders took out rallies in various areas across the city and demanded that the ‘unjustified’ taxes be abolished. Speaking at a rally, district president of the trader’s association Sheikh Muhammad Naqeeb stated that traders are ready to pay all taxes imposed by the government.
However, the process should be made easy and convenient and the punishment for those who fail to pay taxes should be abolished, he demanded.
*Additional input from Tariq Ismaeel
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2019.
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