ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: The twin cities computer dealers Sunday warned the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) of a shutter-down if the 15 per cent General Sales Tax (GST) slapped on computer hardware and accessories was not withdrawn.

The warning came at a meeting of over 400 computer dealers at a local hotel that was called to work out a strategy to save the industry from devastation.

The dealers were of the opinion that the slapping of 15 per cent GST had brought the sales down to around 40 per cent, while 20 per cent businesses had been closed down rendering thousands of young software and hardware experts jobless.

They said the software experts were seriously considering going abroad for employment. “This is brain-drain of highly intellectual and dynamic nationals,” they added.