Markets shut to protest levy of withholding tax

City traders in almost all the big and small markets closed on Wednesday on three-day strike call by the Wholesale Grocers Association.

Jodia Bazaar, Dandiya Bazaar, Lea Market, Landhi, Malir and Water Pump traders kept their businesses shut in protest against the levy of withholding tax on commodities.

Chairman of Wholesale Grocers Association Rauf Ibrahim said that there is a shutter down strike in 17 cities of Punjab, besides Karachi Hyderabad and Sukkur in Sindh. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, markets in Peshawar, Mardan and Kohat are also closed. The strike of wholesale grocers will continue from July 31 to August 2.

Rauf said that if the demands of traders are not accepted, a new action plan will be announced from August 6.

He said that the protest will intensify on a daily basis until the taxes are withdrawn.

There are fears of shortage of grains and groceries at retail shops due to strike in the wholesale markets.