PESHAWAR: Traders on Wednesday observed a shutter-down strike across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against ‘heavy’ taxation measures introduced by the government.

Awami National Party, Jamat-i-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Qaumi Watan Party also supported the strike call given by the All Pakistan Traders Association.

All the major markets in the provincial capital, including Khyber Bazaar, Saddar, Hashtnagri, Firdous, Charsadda Road, University Road and Kohat Road remained closed.

PTI Peshawar president Irfan Saleem and other office-bearers participated in a protest camp established by traders. The traders rejected the taxes and criticised the federal government’s policies.

On the occasion, Mr Saleem said the federal government was collecting taxes from the people but the money was not spent on their welfare.

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ANP central president Aimal Wali Khan also visited the protesting traders in Charsadda.

During his address, Mr Wali criticised the Federal Board of Revenue for being silent on the capitalists, but going after the ‘underprivileged’ traders.

Also, JI provincial emir Prof Mohammad Ibrahim, in a statement, said traders, government and private sector employees could not make both ends meet amid record inflation.

He called for reforming the tax system.

Rallies were also taken out in Mansehra, Torghar, Kolai-Palas, Upper and Lower Kohistan districts against FBR’s Tajir Dost Scheme.

A complete shutter down was observed in Abbottabad, where all bazaars and markets remained closed.

Traders observed a shutter down strike against heavy electricity tariffs and taxes on the call of JI in Haripur, Ghazi and Khanpur tehsils on Wednesday.

JI’s local chapter staged a rally that started from Sheranwala Gate and culminated at Siddiq-i-Akbar Chowk.

All bazaars and markets remained closed in Battagram district against heavy taxes and inflation.

Traders and transporters across the Shangla district observed a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike against heavy taxes.

Like other parts of the country a complete shutter down was observed in Kohat under the banner of Grand Businessmen Alliance against exorbitant taxation and electricity bills.

The traders supported by political parties observed a shutter down strike in Swabi on Wednesday. Markets in the district headquarters and the four tehsils remained closed against the ‘unjust taxes’.

The business community downed the shutters on the call of JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and central leaders of traders’ organisations in parts of Lower Dir district against the imposition of taxes and inflation. All big and small markets and bazaars in Timergara, Chakdara, Talash, Khall, Balambat, Munda, Samarbagh, Haya Serai, Kambat, Kumbar and Rabat remained closed. Medical stores, vegetable and fruit shops, restaurants, hotels and bakeries remained closed.

Traders in Bajaur also observed a shutter down strike against the imposition of multiple taxes by the government in the name of so called tax reforms. A majority of shops and businesses outlets remained closed across the district.

Businesses community in Dera Ismail Khan also observed a shutter-down strike. Trade centres and shops across Circular Road, Topanwala Bazaar, Rahim Bazaar, Kalan Bazaar, Commissionery Bazaar, Mian Commercial Market, Gomal Market, Khyber Market, Muslim Bazaar, Pawanda Bazaar, Gulf Plaza, Tijarat Ganj, Town Hall, Ashiana Shopping Centre and Sabzi Mandi remained closed.

A shutter-down strike was also observed in Lower and Upper Chitral districts, where shops and restaurants remained closed throughout the day. Bazaars in Booni, Mastuj, Ayun, Garam Chashma, Drosh, Warijun and Shagram wore a deserted look.

In Atalique Bridge of Chitral city, the traders held a meeting where the speakers criticised the government for heavily taxing the poor people. They alleged that the rulers had mortgaged the country to IMF.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024