Traders go on strike against duties, taxes

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE/ PESHAWAR:

Trade unions are set to stage a countrywide shutdown on Wednesday (today) against high electricity tariffs, arbitrary taxes and unfair International Power Producers (IPP) contracts.

In a related move, Jamat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Awami National Party (ANP) have also thrown their weight behind in the case of merchants. .

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad, officials of two major traders’ groups – Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran and Markazi Anjuman Tajiran – expressed their determination to observe a countrywide shutdown strike. They categorically stated that they will not back down from the strike, adding that rumors are being spread about traders’ negotiations with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

If the government is serious about holding a dialogue with businessmen, it should first withdraw the notification of the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme’, said Ajmal Baloch, president of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran and Kashif Chaudhry, head of Markazi Anjuman Tajiran.

They advised the government to bring big fish into the tax net to lead the country out of the financial crisis and get rid of the IMF.

They asked the rulers to stop taxing the masses, adding that traders would never pay arbitrary taxes.

The office bearers of the trade association said they have completed preparations for the strike, claiming that shops and markets will remain closed in every village and town from Karachi to Khyber. The shutdown will prove to be a public referendum against the government’s move to burden citizens with taxes.

They threatened to extend the strike indefinitely if the government did not withdraw the notification. The prime minister admitted that the budget was drawn up by the IMF, which is extremely embarrassing, they said.

They added that traders get the most expensive electricity, while government officials and bureaucrats enjoy perks.

Trade representatives said that the people could no longer bear the burden of taxes and the elite should embrace austerity.

The government made every effort to thwart the traders’ strike, but faced humiliation, they claimed, and ruled out any possibility of talks with the government until their demands were met.

However, more trader groups came forward and one of them held a dialogue with the FBR. Besides, the Pakistan Business Forum opposed the strike.

Political parties

Opposition parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Awami National Party (ANP) also supported the traders’ strike against excessive electricity bills and heavy taxes.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), today announced his support for the nationwide strike.

He said inflation and unfair taxes have made life unbearable for the public. “We fully support the strike of traders across the country,” Fazl said.

The JUI-F chief criticized the budget, claiming that it was formulated as per the guidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“The budget imposed by the IMF has taken the bread from the mouths of the people,” he said, urging the JUI-F members to ensure that the strike remains peaceful.

Awami National Party (ANP) chief Aimal Wali Khan said the government has no empathy for the plight of the people as their preferences are different.

The country is essentially being run at the behest of international financial institutions, including the IMF, Aimal said, adding that people do not get any benefit from international loans.

The ANP chief announced his party’s support to the traders’ strike and called on his party workers to make it a success.

Announcing support to the traders’ strike, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said a successful shutdown strike would be observed from Karachi to Khyber.

He expressed hope that traders’ organizations will show unity in their ranks, adding that the people are not ready to bear the burden of free electricity and luxuries enjoyed by rulers.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Peshawar District President Irfan Salim also weighed in on the strike.

He said the demands of the traders are fair and should be met. He said PTI workers will join the traders’ strike.