Traders announce countrywide strike against withholding tax on Sep 8

Islamabad: Rejecting the advance withholding tax on traders, Central Tanzeem Tajiran Pakistan on Friday announced a nationwide shutter-down strike on September 8.

They categorically made it clear that the traders' community would not pay the adnvance withholding tax under any circumstances, demanding its withdrawal.

Central Tanzeem Tajiran Pakistan president Kashif Chaudhry, who was flanked by other business representatives, told a press conference in Islamabad that the strike would be held in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"If lessons are not learned from the one-day strike, then the duration will be extended after consultation," he warned and said that Pakistan's industry and commerce were facing innumerable problems.

Chaudhry said that the business community would send a message to the Prime Minister that the electricity bills could not be paid in this era and that the industry could not operate at the current price of electricity. "The relief in electricity bills in Punjab is temporary. We  reject it."

He further said that 13 types of tax had been imposed on electricity bills which should be withdrawn, adding contracts with IPPs should also be terminated.

Chaudhry further said that the businessman would not be blackmailed in the name of income tax.