Withholding tax: JI throws weight behind traders’ demands

Party’s K-P GS says govt should retract levy immediately.

MANSEHRA: Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa General Secretary Shabbir Ahmed Khan has urged the federal government to withdraw the withholding tax imposed on banking transactions without further delay.

Speaking at a party training session in Mansehra on Sunday, Shabbir said JI has always stood with the oppressed and supports the traders’ demands regarding the withholding tax. He said the party’s popularity is on the rise and the local government re-polls are welcome proof of its prominence. “Our vote bank has multiplied and a day will soon come when JI will form governments in both the province and the Centre.” Shabbir maintained the party has gained the confidence of the people which is a very promising sign. He urged party members to raise awareness about the religious and national values that JI stands for.



Businessmen in various parts of the province observed a strike on Saturday against the imposition of the withholding tax of 0.3% on banking transactions. They pressed the government to withdraw the levy, on transactions which exceed Rs50,000, or else they will continue to hold protests. A majority of markets in the provincial capital remained closed.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2015.