Hundreds of traders in Multan on Tuesday staged demonstrations in different areas of the city and observed the token shutter down till 1200 noon and blocked the roads under the leadership of Khawaja Muhammad Shafiq, Khawaja Sueman Siddiqui, Zain-ul-Abideen Motiwalay, and Kalb-i-Abid Khan presidents of Anjuman Tajiran of their factions.
The demonstrators were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the levy of withholding tax on bank transactions. Khawaja Muhammad Shafiq told media that traders have decided to observe shutter down strike on July 7(tomorrow) against unwarranted taxation in federal budget in phases which has caused unrest among the business community as well as the general public.
He said, "We have decided to launch a vigorous protest campaign against the unfriendly business measures of the present government, observing shutter down strike separately in different and major divisional headquarters in phases. Traders have decided to go on shutter down strike if their demands were not met, he said. He said that all trade bodies including APAT have unanimously decided to shut the markets, bazaars and all businesses in the city against the uncalled for taxation particularly the unjust tax on banking transaction. Another faction of APAT led by Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Siddiqui has also given strike call in all Punjab districts on July 7 against the unwarranted taxation of the PML-N government and demanded for immediate removal of federal finance minister Ishaq Dar who is, according to them, is incapable to meet the targets of revenue, expanding the tax-net and collecting the revenue.
He called for a complete shutdown of shops throughout the Punjab on July 7 to protest the implementation of 0.6-percent withholding tax on cash withdrawal by non-filers of income tax returns. He, criticising Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, said that withholding tax deduction is a serious blow to entire business activities and depositors are facing difficulties.