Like other parts of the country, the business community under the leadership of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) will observe a complete shutter-down strike in Lahore today to press the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for withdrawal of "unfair" taxes imposed on them in the federal fiscal budget 2019-20.
Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Friday, APAT central general secretary Naeem Mir said they will observe a countrywide shutter down strike from Karachi to Khyber and Kashmir to Gwadar to protest against the unfair taxes imposed in the federal budget.
Leaders of different markets including Amjad Chaudhry, Waqar Ahmed Mian, Haji Hanif, Malik Amanat, Sohail Mehmood Butt Imran Bashir, Sheikh Irfan Iqbal, Mian Tahir Subhani, Malik Farooq Hafiz, Agha Zulfiqar, Syed Azmat Shah and Malik Kaleem were also present.
"No negotiation will be held with the government till the withdrawal of unfair taxes," Mir declared and regretted that the government was trying to divide the business community instead of resolving their issues. He claimed that Qaumi Tajir Ittehad, Lahore Businessmen Front of LCCI, All Pakistan Truck Trawler Owners Association, Jewelers Association, Auto Dealers Association and all other trade bodies of the city will also join the strike.
"It would be the country's biggest shutter-down strike," he hoped and added that the decision of shutter-down is not in the hands of APAT rather it will be decided now by over 3 million traders across the country from Karachi to Peshawar.
To resolve internal affairs of the business community, the accountability of the traders will be ensured by the traders themselves to continue unity among them, he added. He said the imposition of "unjustified" 17 percent sales tax, turn over tax and CNIC-based invoicing system had made it impossible for the community to run the businesses. He warned that the strike would be continuing for an indefinite period if the said taxes and conditions were not withdrawn.
He demanded that Prime Minister Imran Khan in consultation with traders should announce forthwith amendments in budget; otherwise traders would go for complete shutter-down for an extended period.
Speaking on the occasion, Lahore Businessmen Front (LBF) Chairman Amjad Chaudhry said they reject this budget made by bureaucracy on the instructions of International Monetary Fund (IMF). We are of the opinion that the government has had handed over budgetary matters to the IMF without bringing reforms in the FBR, he expressed. He said the increase in greenback's price has brought a new wave of inflation in the country. In the past, incumbent FBR chairman Shabbar Zaidi had been advising the people about tax evasion but now he wanted to bring them into tax net within days, he added.
Meanwhile, Lahore Division Sarafa and Jewelers Association (LDSJA) president Muhammad Ahmad also confirmed to Business Recorder that all "Sarafa" markets in Lahore, Sheikhupura and Okara will remain close today. Commenting on the strike call of APAT, he said all the jewelers are on the same page and they will show their unity today.
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