Traders to observe nationwide shutter-down strike on August 28

Traders’ associations have announced to observe a complete shutter-down strike and a nationwide protest on Wednesday (August 28) against the heavy taxes imposed by the government, including the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme’ of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The leaders of Markazi Anjuman Tajran and Sindh Tajir Ittahad said the shutter-down strike aims to save the trade and economy and to prevent the closure of industry.

The strike will be observed against expensive electricity, Rs2800 billion to IPPs, and 13 taxes.

Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club, the traders noticed that no nation could pay such expensive bills as "businessmen were selling their assets to pay the inflated bills".

Haroonur Rasheed, central president of one of the two major traders’ bodies of Mansehra, also expressed grievances over high taxes.

“Traders are already paying different taxes, and the imposition of new levies would further push them against the wall,” Mr Rasheed said.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also announced his support for the traders’ strike. 

He also directed party workers to participate in the strike and make their peaceful protest successful. 

Apart from this, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Amir Munam Zafar also announced the strike on the same day against inflated electricity bills, over-loaded taxes, and deteriorated infrastructure of the port city.

“The strike will be held against the closure of industries due to inflated electricity, irrelevant taxes on salaried persons, and the escalated rate of unemployment,” said Zafar in a statement issued on Tuesday.