THIS refers to the news item ‘Countrywide traders’ strike on 28th, 29th (Oct 10). Another round of talks between Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and traders’ representatives to end the impasse resulted in deadlock. The traders are adamant and do not want to accept the FBR’s requirement to document the economy nor are they willing to show up in the tax net.

The traders, over the years, were pampered by the successive governments through lax rules and sloppy enforcement measures. This government must now stay firm and not back down.

The easy way to enforce compliance is ordering disconnection of power supply to businesses which do not comply with the FBR guidelines.

As regards the threat of strike, this is not going to make any difference even if they protest for a week or a month. They cannot sustain the loss of business even for few days.

Furthermore, a sizeable section of the traders wants to remain peaceful and willing to comply with FBR’s requirements. Certain blacksheep in the trading community do not want to follow the rules of the game for extra profiteering.

Discontinuation of financial malpractices in any form is vital to come out of the FATF grey list. The government must enforce its writ and not bend to the unreasonable demands of any community detrimental to the interest of the country.

Kulsoom Arif
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2019