GUJRANWALA, June 23: The stainless steel importers association has criticised the federal government for increasing five per cent sales tax on raw material in the budget and warned of a shutterdown if it is not withdrawn.

Speaking at a news conference here on Friday, association representatives Khwaja Muhammad Ramzan, Mirza Humayun and Ghulam Husain said the increase in sales tax would decrease exports.

They said traders of steel market and exporters would observe shutterdown if their demand was not accepted.

They also resented starting of audit system in factories.