SAHIWAL, May 30: Traders have expressed concern over an increase in annual professional tax from Rs200 to Rs5,000 per shop. Office-bearers of as many as 83 associations of businessman met here on Saturday evening with Anjuman Tajiran chief Shaikh Saeed in the chair.
They warned the government that if the increase was not withdrawn, they would have no other option except to observe a strike. The meeting also criticized the working of the Tehsil Municipal Administration.
Speakers said almost every bazaar and street was littered with garbage, but the authorities concerned seemed to be least interested in improving the sanitary conditions. They urged the Punjab government to solve their sanitary problems as well.
ROBBERIES: Bandits looted cash, ornaments and valuables amounting to Rs0.47 million in four incidents here on Saturday night. Five dacoits broke into the house of Haji Alam in Chak 100-WM and made off with cash and ornaments worth Rs320,000.
A musical group, headed by singer Saleem Saleemi, was returning from a performance at Chak 159/9-L when some gangsters looted cash and jewellery to the tune of Rs154,610 at gunpoint.
In Noorkay Kathia, a man was deprived of Rs1,000 by two motorcyclists. Near Chak 20/11-L, a man was robbed of Rs500 and his two-wheeler. Police have registered separate cases.
