LAHORE: Trade organisations, under the banner of All-Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran, held demonstrations across the country on Wednesday in protest against imposition of withholding tax on banking transactions.

In Lahore, all three groups of APAT led by Naeem Mir, Khalid Pervez and Ashraf Bhatti set up a protest camp at Faisal Chowk in front of the Punjab Assembly. Ashraf Bhatti, Chaudhry Mehboob Sirki and Naeem Mir addressed the protesters.

The APAT’s district and division chapters also held protest rallies in their markets to oppose the government’s decision.

Also read: Traders observe strike against new tax

In Urdu bazaar, a group of traders wore black armbands and another set up a protest camp in the Shah Alam Market.

Speaking at the protest camp, Naeem Mir said that the business community had agreed on another countrywide shutter-down strike on Sept 9 against the imposition of 0.3 per cent withholding tax on banking transactions.

He said traders would boycott bank dealings and observe a Bud-Dua Day (Day of Curse) against the government after Friday prayers on Sept 4. He said in case of non-acceptance of traders’ demands another strike would be observed on Oct 7.

Amanullah Kasi adds from Quetta: Traders calling for the withdrawal of withholding tax on banking transactions held a demonstration in Quetta and warned the government of a permanent nationwide strike if their demand remained unfulfilled.

The protesters led by Anjuman-i-Tajran Balochistan president Rahim Kakar marched on various roads before assembling in front of the press club.

Representatives of the traders claimed that the business community already paid their annual tax regularly and yet it was being forced to pay the withholding tax which they said was not only unjust but an arbitrary recovery.

They said traders would not allow the federal government to meet its budget deficit target by imposing the withholding tax. They said they would not compromise on the rights of the business community.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2015

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