ISLAMABAD, May 15: Vendors of computer parts and accessories in the twin cities on Tuesday observed shutter down strike against the levy of 15 per cent general sales tax (GST).

The strike call was given by Pakistan Computer Association (PCA).

Talking to Dawn the PCA President Munawar Iqbal said that revival of the nascent IT industry was linked to withdrawal of the levy in the budget. More than 400 vendors participated in the strike to press government for their demand.

He said similar strikes were also held in other major cities like Multan, Peshawar, Lahore, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal, Jhelum etc., to contest the CBR levy.

He said that the association held a meeting with the chairman CBR but no breakthrough was made in that meeting.

“Now we would take some decision about the future course of action against the levy in the general body meeting of the association,” he added.

Mr Munawar said that this duty had played the role of virus for computer industry during the current financial year and all the stakeholders suffered huge loss during last 10 months.

He said the GST has undermined government policies to support fair market competition despite the fact that the authorities have implemented IT development measures, such as infrastructure, building and automation,

Mr Iqbal said that the time for imposition of this tax was totally wrong because Pakistan’s IT industry was at growth stage.