Traders’ strike: ‘Withdraw withholding tax now’

In Faisalabad, most shops in eight main bazaars were closed

SIALKOT/ MULTAN/ FAISALABAD:

Thousands of shops remained closed on Saturday as traders across the province went on a strike against introduction of withholding tax on bank transactions.

In Faisalabad, most shops in eight main bazaars on Narwala Road, Jhang Road, Sitiana Road, Susan Road, Jaranwala Road, Sargodha Road, Sumundri Road were closed.

It was alleged that some of the protesters also forced closure of some shops that had remained open. Several altercations were reported between traders Railway Road where some shopkeepers tried to resume business at noon.

Multan Anjuman-i-Tajiran president Khawaja Shahid Razzaq Sikka told newsmen that traders would continue their protest till the withholding tax was withdrawn.

He said instead of putting a heavy tax burden on traders, the government should ensure better tax collection from others. A partial strike was reported in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Badiana, Pasrur and surrounding areas on Saturday against the levy of bank transaction tax and the withholding tax.

Markets remained closed in Bano Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Lehaayi Bazaar, Railway Road, Mujahid Road, Karimpura Road and Kashmiri Bazaar.

Shops on Kashmir Road, Circular Road, Church Road, Khadim Ali Road, Gohdpur Road, Paris Road, Head Marala Road and Daska Road remained opened.

In Multan, some 400 shops were closed in protest against the withholding tax.

Anjuman-i-Tajran chairman Khawaja Muhammad Shafiq led a rally from Chowk Bazaar to Hussein Agahi.

Addressing participants of the rally, he said traders would not back down until the tax was withdrawn.

He said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had betrayed traders.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2015.