Up in arms: Protest held in Peshawar, DI Khan against withholding tax

Demonstrators warn of strikes in both districts if levy not abolished.

PESHAWAR/ DI KHAN: Traders and the business community in Peshawar and DI Khan took to the streets on Wednesday over the withholding tax on banking transactions.

At least three trader unions held a protest in Chowk Yadgar, Peshawar and urged the government to withdraw the levy. Markaz-e-Tanzeem Rabta and Anjuman-e-Tajeran also participated in the demonstrations.

Addressing protesters, Markaz-e-Tanzeem Tajeran President Haji Halim Jan said the business community has been negatively impacted by the scourge of militancy that has gripped the province.

“The burden of new taxes will further weaken businesses in the K-P,” he said.  “We will not make any banking transactions on September 4 and observe a strike on September 9. A shutter-down strike will also be observed on October 7.”

Jan said extortionists have been demanding money from business owners in the province. “The provincial government should take action against extortionists,” he added

Protests in DI Khan

Traders and the business community held a sit-in in DI Khan on Wednesday against the imposition of withholding tax on banking transactions by non-filers of tax returns.

Protesters gathered in Rahim Bazaar and shouted slogans against the federal government, urging it to withdraw the levy.

Addressing protesters, Sohail Azmi, president of a local traders union, said a large number of traders in DI Khan had voted in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government.

“However, the decision to impose the tax has now put traders in a position of disadvantage,” he said. “We will observe a complete shutter-down strike if the tax is not abolished.”

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