FAISALABAD: Punjab shut bazaars and markets on Saturday on the call of traders’ bodies to protest the imposition of a 0.3 per cent withholding tax on banking transactions, introduced by the PML-N government from this fiscal year.

Faisalabad stood by the strike call. Shops of Clock Tower bazaars and other areas remained closed. Skirmishes were reported from Bhawana Bazaar.

A ceremonial grave of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was made at the Clock Tower.

VEHARI: Traders, goods transporters and even cart vendors across the district were on strike and they also staged rallies in Burewala, Mailsi and Vehari.

MIANWALI: Traders from all parts of the district struck completely to mark their resentment against the imposition of withholding tax on banking transactions.

BAHAWALPUR: There was a complete shutter down in the city on the call of Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajran and Muthahda Anjman-i-Tajran.

Only some eateries at Farid Gate were opened.

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Traders of Dera Ghazi Khan observed a complete shutter down against withholding tax in main markets.

Traders took out a protest rally from Goldsmith Market to Traffic Chowk.

MULTAN: Most of the Multan markets wore a deserted look and traders held protest demonstrations on the call of All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran.

“The business is already slow because of load shedding and unemployment and the imposing of withholding tax will aggravate the situation,” said trader Sangi.

GUJRAT: A complete shutter down strike in the all major markets and shopping malls of Gujrat city was seen.

Anjuman Tajaran president Javed Butt, also a PML-N leader, endorsed the countrywide strike call.

GUJRANWALA: Traders belonging to the Markazi Anjuman Tajran observed the strike while their rival, Anjuman Tajran, kept on doing business in more than 20 bazaars.

Most of the parts of the district, however, were on strike.

SARGODHA: Differences among the traders’ bodies over the date of strike divided the traders in Sargodha which resulted in a partial strike.

Main markets remained shut in the first half of the day. Later on, PML-N parliamentarians and some traders leaders hurled threats on the traders forcing them to resume their work.

Grain Market remain closed as its president Javed Iqbal locked all the gates and did not allow any trader in grain market to do the business.

CHINIOT: On the call of Markazi Tanzeem Tajran, majority of traders closed their shutters in protest at the levy of withholding tax on banking transactions.

There was a complete shutter down strike in Rail Bazaar, Shahrah Quaid Azam, Furniture Showrooms Market, Katchery Bazaar and Muslim Bazaar.

The Anjuman Arhtian, headed by Mehr Alamgir Mastan, continued their routine business at vegetable markets.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play