DERA ISMAIL KHAN, March 31: Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA) Dera Ismail Khan has termed the announcement made by the government about the withdrawal of General Sales Tax (GST) on life-saving drugs as a deception.

Talking to Dawn on Sunday, the PCDA chairman, D.I. Khan, Muhammad Ramzan said that every medicine is a life-saving drug, but the ministry of health has identified only four or five medicines as life-saving, and a wide range is levied with GST.

He said that, the chemists and druggists were least affected by the imposition of the GST as they are getting the same margin of profit on pharmaceutical products.

Ramzan said that PCDA has decided to observe a token strike from April 4 during which the PCDA members would keep their shops closed between morning and 12 noon.

He disclosed that the hunger strike against the imposition of GST would be observed from April 6 onwards throughout the NWFP and if it was not withdrawn, a complete shutter-down strike would be observed for an indefinite period.

VEHICLES HIJACKED: A motorcycle and a pickup were snatched at gunpoint from their owners in Paroa area.

Muhammad Hanir, resident of village Sira, was going home on his motorcycle No. DGG-5138 near CRB Distributory No. 15 when two dacoits armed with pistols blocked the road and snatched his bike.

On Indus Highway, six armed dacoits forced Muhammad Ramzan Contractor to step down of his DD Pick-up (Toyota SSR) No. C-5287/DIK and fled in it.