PESHAWAR: The local traders have threatened to launch a protest movement against what they call the ‘anti-business’ policies of the government.

The announcement was made during a meeting of the traders of Peshawar Saddar and cantonment areas held here on Thursday with Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Hasnain Khurshid Ahmad in the chair.

The meeting was attended by SCCI senior vice president Imran Khan Mohmand, vice president Javed Akhtar, former president Sherbaz Bilour, executive members and the office-bearers of different bazaar and market associations.

The participants of the meeting criticised police and customs departments, tax-collection authorities and Cantonment Board Peshawar for harassing traders and lodging unnecessary cases against them. They said that traders paid various types of taxes. They demanded rationalisation and reduction in the ratio of taxes.

They said commercial activities reduced by 80pc after coronavirus pandemic and terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They said that the policies of the government were compelling traders shut their businesses.

The traders also expressed concerns over the new timing for closure of markets. They said that it was the prime duty of the government to protect life and property of people.

They demanded of the government to lift ban on import of mobile accessories. They asked the government to resolve their problems on permanent basis.

Hasnain Khurshid assured the participants of the meeting that SCCI would take up their issues with relevant authorities in an efficient manner.

Published in Dawn,June 10th, 2022