Protest against tax: Traders’ strike blows hot and cold

Most markets across Punjab, K-P shut down; partial strike in Sindh and Rawalpindi-Islamabad

PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE/ KARACHI:

Businesses and markets across the country were partially closed on Saturday as traders observed a strike against the imposition of 0.3% withholding tax on banking transactions of Rs50,000 and above by non-taxpayers.

In the country’s commercial hub, Karachi, traders observed a partial shutter down strike, which was called off by 2pm. A number of markets in Karachi, as well as trade centres in Hyderabad, remained closed. The strike was also observed in Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Tando Allahyar, Badin and Nawabshah districts of Sindh.

However, All Karachi Tajir Ittehad chairman Atiq Mir claimed that the city’s traders had rejected the strike call given by the ‘so-called trade leaders’. He said his tours of various markets in the metropolis showed that business remained unaffected.

Traders also staged a partial strike in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad after the trade bodies failed to create consensus in their bid to protest against the 0.3% withholding tax. Except for Islamabad Super Market and parts of Aapara Market, no major market in the federal capital or Rawalpindi observed the strike. The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has postponed the strike it called on August 3.

Talking to APP, Islamabad Traders’ Welfare Association president Chaudhry Kashif admitted the lack of consensus among traders on the question of the strike.

However, businesses were largely closed in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

In Lahore, there was no business activity in most major markets including Shah Alam, Akbari Mandi, Moti Bazaar, Rang Mahal, Badami Bagh, Abid Market, Bilal Ganj, Anarkali, Liberty, Township, Bund Road, Brandreth Road and Jail Road. However, some businesses were reported open in Urdu Bazaar, Wapda Town and Defence Housing Authority and on Shalimar Link Road.

Most shops in the eight main bazaars of Faisalabad remained closed. There were reports of some protesters warning businesses against opening their premises. Scuffles were also reported between traders’ factions on Railway Road.

A partial strike was also observed in Multan, Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Badiana, Pasrur and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, traders and businessmen in various parts of the K-P also observed a strike.  A majority of markets in Peshawar remained closed.

Shops and businesses in Abbottabad, Havelian, Haripur, Ghazi, Mansehra, Shinkiari, Bafa, Balakot, Battagram and Kohistan also remained shut from early hours of morning till 5pm. In DI Khan, some traders demanded the removal of Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar while there was a complete shutters down in Hangu.

Strike was observed in Bannu while protesters also took out rallies and processions in Swabi. Many traders told The Express Tribune that the levy is tantamount to their economic murder.


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