Grain markets go on complete strike

RAWALPINDI:

The Central Association of Traders of Grain Market initiated a complete strike on Tuesday, protesting against excessive taxes and the continuous rise in electricity prices.

As a result, the sale and supply of all types of grocery essentials and food items, including pulses, rice, white gram, and gram flour, have been completely halted across Rawalpindi and the entire district.

The announcement of the strike was made during a joint press conference by the leaders of Anjuman Tajaran Ghala Mandi. The striking traders, expressing their discontent, wore black bands on their hands. Sheikh Asif, the Central President of Markazi Anjuman Tajran Ghala Mandi, addressed the press conference alongside fellow leaders.

He stated that if the withholding tax is not withdrawn, they will escalate the strike to a nationwide scale.

Sheikh Asif emphasised the detrimental impact of the withholding tax on their businesses, describing it as a destructive force.

He noted that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) members are currently staging a sit-in protest in Liaquat Bagh against inflation, highlighting the widespread discontent with the government's financial policies. "We cannot pay this tax under any circumstances; the government must reconsider it," he asserted.