Traders across Pakistan observe shutter-down strike today

With the backing of trade groups and political parties, Traders across the country on Wednesday are observing a nationwide shutter-down strike against government tax measures with support from traders’ associations and political parties including, Awami National Party (ANP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).

Sindh

Anjuman-e-Tajiran Karachi has ordered a full shutdown of businesses today in Pakistan ahead of the nationwide strike. Declaring his support for the protest, Javed Shams, the head of the Sindh branch of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran said “The political leadership has failed us, we reject the hike in taxes and electricity bills.”

He said today, all businesses in Sindh, whether large or small, will be closed. He further added that we traders reject the “Tajir Dost Scheme” in its current form saying the government is trying to snatch away the general public and the business class the ability to exist.

The strike call has also received support from the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association. According to KEDA President Muhammad Rizwan, all trade unions from Khyber to Karachi are in its favour.

Atiq Mir, the president of the All-Karachi Traders Union said people are suffering from inflation.

Sindh Traders Association President Waqar Memon said, “Monthly tax, withholding tax, and professional tax are anti-business policies.”

Punjab

All business centres in Punjab, including Vehari, have been shut down following the Central Traders Association of Pakistan’s call for shutter-down strike. This includes all markets, including those on Club Road, Jinnah Road, Luddun Road, Rail Bazaar, Choori Bazar, and Multan Road. The group president said that the traders are being subjected to “cruel taxes” by the government.

In Gujranwala, markets have remained closed including those in the Satellite Town. The city’s mobile phone association has also participated in the strike.

KPK

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar markets also remain closed as traders demand relief in electricity bills and tax rates. Markets including Sadar Bazaar, Shafi Market, Qisa Khwani and Khyber Bazaar also observed strikes and traders set up demonstration camps in front of the closed markets.

All commercial hubs in Dera Ismail Khan also remain closed as part of a full strike by traders.

Moreover. JI, which recently ended its 14-days sit-in after negotiations with government, has also given the call for a traders’ strike in Charsaddah. The party had announced earlier this week that it would observe a nationwide strike today to put further pressure on the government to give relief to the public.