HYDERABAD, Sept 18: The Anjuman-i-Tajran-i-Sindh has expressed solidarity with the Pakistan Tajir Ittehad and decided to observe shutter-down strike on Sept 23 in protest against the income tax universal self-assessment scheme.

The decision regarding it was taken at a meeting of 50 traders’ organizations held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Turab Ali Khwaja, the provincial vice-president of the organization.

The meeting demanded that the members of the National Assembly rise to the occasion and raise their voice on the floor of the assembly against the anti-traders’ income tax policy.

It pointed out that the business community of the country had been paying income tax honestly for the last 55 years but they were always made the target of repression.

It warned the CBR that if it did not change its attitude towards the tax-payers then the tax-payers would also have to rethink about their attitude towards the CBR.

It charged that the agents of the IMF had unleashed harassment against the tax-payers and they wanted to enslave Pakistan by destroying its economy.

It pointed out that due to recession, business activity was in the grip of a crisis and the majority of taxpayers had been rendered bankrupt.

It regretted that instead of providing relief to the business community it was being fleeced.

The meeting resolved not to file income tax returns unless the universal self-assessment scheme was withdrawn.

AT: At least 50 activists of the Awami Tehrik, led by its general secretary Abrar Qazi, Noor Nabi Gahojo, Dr Naseer Shaikh and Nazeer Qureshi, on Thursday observed token hunger strike in front of the press club in protest against the decision of the Zionists to deport Palestinian leader, Yasir Arafat, from his own country by force.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Abrar said that Israel was the precocious child of America and while America had launched a global war against terrorism, it had turned a blind eye towards the state terrorism of Israel against the hapless Palestinians.

He condemned the duplicity of America and called upon the government of Pakistan to support the oppressed Palestinian Muslims.