Traders Call for a Nationwide Strike on Saturday - Android

Saturday was supposed to witness a nation-wide strike by several traders’ unions. However, the government accepted most of their ‘fair’… Read More

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Saturday was supposed to witness a nation-wide strike by several traders’ unions. However, the government accepted most of their ‘fair’ demands at the eleventh hour. Many groups distanced themselves from the protest call after that.

Most importantly, the chambers of commerce & industry in Karachi, Lahore and other cities of Punjab are not supporting today’s strike.

Situation in Lahore

All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran (APAT), Qaumi Tajir Ittehad, Lahore Business Front, All Pakistan Truck Trailer Owners Association, Jewelers Association, Auto Dealers Association and all other trade bodies of the city are on strike today.

However, Pakistan Traders Alliance (PTA) – based in Lahore – refused to be the part of the event. “When the FBR people have removed our concerns in writing, why should we observe the strike,” said PTA chairman Nasir Hameed.

Situation in Karachi

The situation is similar in the port city where a large group of traders has withdrawn their call for the strike – some of them are still protesting though.

The Tajir Action Committee and All-City Tajir Ittihad are conducting business as the usual, whereas, the Markazi Tanzeem Tajiran are observing a shutter down strike today.

Government Strikes A Deal

Most of the hue and cry was against the rumored sales tax on flour and wheat, CNIC requirement on business dealings, and the increased GST on various other products.

However, Punjab Minister for Industry & Commerce, Mian Aslam Iqbal after a successful deal with the traders’ associations, agreed to eliminate the CNIC requirement for dealings below Rs. 50,000.

A press release from his ministry also claimed that the FBR chairman has agreed to reduce tax on ghee from 7 to just 2 percent.

Moreover, Chairman FBR Shabbar Zaidi, in a press conference on Friday, had made it clear that there was no sales tax on flour mills or Naan-shops.

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