Karachi traders announce three-day strike
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KARACHI: The Karachi Tajir Action Committee (KTAC), which represents a large number of trade associations in the city, has announced a three-day strike from Monday to protest against the measures introduced in the budget 2019-20.
The KTAC members, in a press conference held at Elahi Centre near Akbar Road, have also sought Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa’s help to resolve the issues of traders’ community.
Reacting to Sindh Governor Imran Ismail’s media talk on Saturday, the KTAC said he should be removed from his position after he said the government would not take back the measures introduced in the budget at any cost.
The committee also threatened to extend the market shut down in case their demands are not met.
It also presented an 11-point charter of demand seeking reduction in turnover tax to 0.3 per cent from 0.6pc on cash withdrawal from the banks.
Reacting to the CNIC-based invoicing system, the traders said they cannot ask customers to provide CNIC copies on sale worth Rs50,000 and this condition should be taken back.
“There is also a need to print income tax form in Urdu language,” they demanded.
They said the government should make four categories of income tax from Rs4,000-20,000 depending on shop size.
Moreover, they said a sizeable number of mobile phones, which are not registered are being blocked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and suggested to the government to charge Rs400 for registration of these mobile phones.
The business community also urged the government to remove 10pc regulatory duty on import of second-hand clothes which are being used by poor people.
Additionally, they said the income tax deduction limit for salaried class which has been slashed to Rs600,000 per annum should be restored to Rs1.2m.
All City Tajir Itehad General Secretary Ahmed Shamsi said the Federal Board of Revenue teams have also started visiting various markets after the announcement of budget 2019-20, threatening raids at shops and go downs.
“The government should avoid harassing traders,” he added.
Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2019
