LAHORE: The provincial capital on Saturday witnessed a successful strike by traders who have been protesting withholding tax on banking transactions introduced by the PML-N government in the 2015-16 fiscal budget.
All wholesale markets and over 90pc of retail markets were shut down in the PML-N-dominated city on Saturday, sending a message to the party leadership that traders were not ready to pay the tax to a government that according to them came into power with the support of the business community.
The PML-N traders wing also failed to convince its followers to disassociate themselves from the strike. Two major trader groups had already warned the PML-N government that a series of protests and strikes could topple the government if it failed to withdraw the tax.
All wholesale, over 90pc retail markets shut down in ‘N’-dominated city
The All-Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran (Khalid Pervaiz group) had refused to negotiate and announced a countrywide strike on Aug 5, while the Khwaja Shafique group also distanced itself from negotiations with the finance minister and the Federal Board of Revenue after a second meeting on July 27.
In the first meeting held on July 8, the government and traders backed by Shafique group agreed to the withholding tax from 0.6pc to 0.3pc for non-tax filers till Sept 30. But later, the group backed out of the agreement after protests from traders who insisted on abolishing the tax at all.
A complete shutdown by all wholesale hubs and majority of retail markets was witnessed on Saturday. Shahalam Market, Azam Cloth Market, Akbari Mandi, Badami Bagh Auto Parts Market, Montgomery Auto Parts Market, Pakistan Market, Branderth Road Hardware Market, Rang Mahal Soha Bazaar, Lunda Bazaar and Tyre Market of Naulakha, Loha Market Misri Shah, McLeod Road and Bilal Ganj observed a complete strike.
Traders also closed shops at Hafeez Centre, The Mall, Hall Road, Nisbat Road, Pace Shopping Centre, Ichhra, Model Town Link Road, Liberty Market, Raja Centre, Auriga Centre, Anarkali Bazaar, Abid Market, several markets in the Defence Housing Authority, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road and Shahdara.
Some markets in Township Main Bazaar, Peco Road, Mughalpura, Shalimar Link Road, Ganpat Road Paper Market, Wapda Town PIA Road Market, Siddique Trade Centre and a few others remained open while some observed a partial strike. In some retail markets such as the Model Town Link Road, a few traders opened shops in the afternoon.
Goods transporters also sided with traders and suspended operations on Saturday. DHA real estate agents also closed their offices and held a protest rally.
Shafique group’s central Secretary General Naeem Mir, flanked by members of Anjuman-i-Tajiran Ashraf Bhatti group, Qaumi Tajir Ittehad President Sheikh Mushtaq and others claimed traders had rejected the withholding tax by closing businesses throughout the country.
Naeem Mir said a consultative meeting of trader bodies from across Pakistan had been convened in Islamabad on Aug 4 to devise their future course of action in case the government failed to withdraw the tax. He said traders would go on strike on Aug 5 also in support of the other faction of All-Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran. He appreciated political parties for supporting their cause.
“Now traders have several options, including protests, demonstration and sit-ins in front of the FBR offices and Parliament House to press the government to withdraw unjustified levies,” he added.
Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2015
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