All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran and Islamabad Traders Action Committee on Tuesday demanded to withdraw the trade licence notices issued by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). The traders said that the notices were illegal and in violation of the orders of the prime minister.
They stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced rescinding 104 types of trade licences while addressing business representatives in the presence of federal ministers on February 19. They added that the former mayor refused to follow the instructions and now the MCI has issued trade licence notices in defiance of the premier’s orders.
The businessmen further said that MCI has prepared a summary of concessions for only 11 types of small businesses such as barbers, cobblers and tailors.
Read More: Traders lambast 10-day suspension of businesses
The traders opined that the trade licence was not required for any business in Pakistan except for merchants who deal in daily-use commodities. However, it is not the case in the capital, they lamented.
There are 50 union councils (UCs) in Islamabad of which only 16 are in urban areas and those are being specifically targeted, they claimed.
They said that the traders’ community would not only protest if the notices are not withdrawn but will also boycott the MCI, adding that an action plan in this regard would be announced soon.
They opined that there is no magistrate for the corporation, thus, the challans issued by them are also illegal. The businessmen appealed to the prime minister to ensure the implementation of his orders.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2021.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ