Traders set for strike against tariffs, taxes

JI, JUI-F, PTI and ANP also thrown their weight behind the traders' cause.

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE/ PESHAWAR:

Trade associations are set to observe a nationwide shutter-down strike on Wednesday (today) against high electricity tariff, arbitrary taxes and unjust International Power Producer (IPPs) contracts.

In a related move, Jamat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Awami National Party (ANP) have also thrown their weight behind the traders' cause.

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, the office-bearers of two major groups of traders - All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran and Markazi Anjuman Tajiran - expressed their resolve to observe a shutter-down strike across the country. They categorically said they would not back out of the strike call, adding rumors were being spread regarding traders' negotiations with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

If the government is serious in holding dialogue with businessmen, first it will have to withdraw the notification of 'Tajir Dost Scheme', said Ajmal Baloch, president of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran and Kashif Chaudhry, chief of Markazi Anjuman Tajiran.

They recommended that the government bring big fish into the tax net to steer the country out of the financial crisis and get rid of the IMF.

They asked rulers to stop burdening the masses with taxes, adding the traders would never pay arbitrary taxes.

The trade association office-bearers said they have completed preparations for the strike, claiming shops and markets will remain closed in each village and city from Karachi to Khyber. The shutter-down will prove to be a public referendum against the government's move of burdening people with taxes.

They threatened to extend the strike for an indefinite period if the government does not withdraw the notification. The prime minister admitted that the budget was designed by the IMF, which is extremely embarrassing, they said.

They added that traders get the most expensive electricity while the government officials and bureaucrats enjoy perks.

The trade representatives said people can no longer bear the burden of taxes and the elite will have to embrace austerity.

The government made every effort to foil the traders' strike but it faced humiliation, they claimed and ruled out any possibility of talks with the government till their demands were met.

However, more groups of traders came to the fore and one of them held dialogue with the FBR. Besides, the Pakistan Business Forum opposed the strike call.

 

Political parties

The opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Awami National Party (ANP) also supported the traders' strike against exorbitant electricity bills and heavy taxes.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), announced his support for the nationwide strike today.

He said inflation and unjust taxes have made life unbearable for the public. "We fully support strike by traders across the country," said Fazl.

The JUI-F chief criticised the budget, claiming it was formulated under the directives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"The IMF-imposed budget has snatched the bread from the people's mouths," he said, urging JUI-F members to ensure the strike remains peaceful.

Awami National Party (ANP) chief Aimal Wali Khan said the government has no empathy towards people's suffering as their preferences are different.

The country is practically being run on the diktat of international financial institutions, including IMF, said Aimal, adding people are not getting any benefit of international loans.

The ANP chief announced his party's support for the traders' strike and directed his party workers to make it a success.

Announcing support to traders' strike, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said a successful shutter-down strike will be observed from Karachi to Khyber.

He expressed optimism that the traders' organizations would show unity in their ranks, adding people are not ready to bear the burden of free electricity and luxuries enjoyed by the rulers.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf district Peshawar president Irfan Saleem also put his weight behind the strike call.

He said the traders' demands are just and they should be met. He said PTI workers will participate in the traders' strike.