Traders across Pakistan observe strike against hike in taxes and electricity bills

• “The political leadership has failed,” says the head of the traders.
• JUI-F, JI and PTI support traders’ call for nationwide strike.
• Traders are hinting at an extended strike period if the demands are not met.

To protest the government’s tax reforms, traders across the country are observing a nationwide strike on Wednesday with the support of traders’ associations and political parties.

Political parties targeting traders include Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami National Party (ANP ).

In view of the nationwide strike, Anjuman-e-Tajiran Karachi had announced a complete shutdown of business today.

“The political leadership has failed,” said Javed Shams, president of the Sindh chapter of the Pan Pakistan Anjuman-e-Taziran, announcing his support for the nationwide strike.

Shams added that all businesses will be completely shut down today in all small and big towns of Sindh. “[We] reject the increase in taxes and electricity bills.’

He added that the ruling class wants to take away the right to life from the business class and the people, insisting that the ‘Trader Friendly Scheme’ is not acceptable in its current form.

Electronic Dealers Association of Karachi also supported the strike. KEDA president Mohammad Rizwan said all unions from Karachi to Khyber are participating in the strike.

“If the issues are not resolved, the duration of the strike may increase,” Rizwan said.

Karachi Tradesmen Union President Atiq Mir termed the strike as one of citizens and not traders. “The Common Man Worries About Inflation.”

Punjab, KP also observe strike

Meanwhile, in Punjab, towns including Vehari, all business centers are closed after a nationwide strike was called by the Pakistan Central Trade Union with all markets including those on Club Road, Jinnah Road, Luddun Road, Rail Bazaar, Choori Bazar and Multan Road. completely closed.

The association president, supporting the call, said the government has imposed “harsh taxes” on traders.

In Gujranwala, all the small and big markets in the inner parts of the cities including Cloth Market, Steel Market and Sanitary Market as well as those in Satellite Town will be closed. The city’s mobile phone association has also backed the strike call.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar, traders’ organizations are monitoring the strike as various markets remain closed across the city with unions demanding withdrawal of hike in electricity bills and reduction in tax rates.

All markets including Sadar Bazaar, Shafi Market, Qisa Khwani and Khyber Bazaar have been closed, while traders’ organizations have set up protest camps in front of the closed markets.

In Dera Ismail Khan, traders are observing a complete strike with all malls closed following support from traders association, traders union and traders action committee.

Traders in all cities in Sindh – including Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar and others – are also on strike with central commercial areas as well as small and large-scale businesses closed under the strike.

“Monthly tax, withholding tax, business tax are anti-business policies,” Sindh Traders Association President Waqar Memon said.

Markets and malls in Punjab cities, including Chitsavatani, are closed after the strike with traders demanding the government withdraw “harsh” taxes and reduce electricity costs.

On the other hand, JI in Charsadda also called for traders’ strike as all food shops including hotels remain closed.

Earlier this week, the religio-political party had announced that it will observe a nationwide shutdown on August 28 (today) to pressurize the coalition government to provide relief to the masses.

The announcement came after the party called off its 14-day sit-in on August 9 after successful negotiations with the government on demands such as a reduction in high energy tariffs and a review of agreements with Independent Power Producers that have come under fire as people pay heavy bills owed on capacity payments to independent power producers.