LAHORE: Traders across Punjab observed on Tuesday a partial shutter-down strike in protest against the imposition of 0.6 per cent advance adjustment tax on banking transactions, with all wholesale business centres remaining closed in the provincial capital.

Traders also held rallies and sit-ins in different parts of the province against what they called an anti-business tax.

Traders in Lahore, however, witnessed a divide between two major associations. While Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan favoured the strike, PML-N Traders Wing, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran opposed it on the grounds that the finance minister had already convened a meeting of FBR officials and traders to sort out the issue.

Traders hold rallies and sit-ins across the province

About 70 per cent markets and businesses in Lahore observed the strike on the call of Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan. All main wholesale markets like Urdu Bazaar, Azam Cloth Market, Shah Alam Market, Pakistan Cloth Market, Montgomery Road Auto Market, Kashmiri Bazaar, Akbari Mandi, Steel Market and others remained closed the whole day.

But markets on Brandeth Road, Liberty Market, Ichra Bazaar, Hafeez Center, Rang Mahal and others remained open.

Traders of Shah Alam Market and Jail Road held rallies while traders of Kashmiri Bazaar and Soha Bazaar staged sit-ins.

In Faisalabad, a partial shutter-down strike was observed in Clock Tower bazaars and other markets. However, wholesale markets of cloths, yarn and jewellery remained closed. Traders attached with the ruling PML-N also held a rally against the tax.

In Gujrat, traders backed by the Gujrat chamber, All Pakistan Pottery Manufacturers Association and Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association held a demonstration on Railway Road to denounce the tax and term the government’s move disastrous for the entire banking sector of the country.

The protesters carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands chanted slogans against the government.

In Gujranwala, all traders’ organisations went on strike on the call of Markazi Anjuman Tajran and took out a rally. Daal bazaar, Shopper market, Sarafa bazaar, Loheywala bazaar, Muslim bazaar, Kasera bazaar, metal and mobile phones markets and major shopping malls and other business and trade centres in city remained closed.

Commission agents and traders in Toba Tek Singh, Gojra and Dera Ghazi Khan grain markets also observed complete strike.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2015

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