On Friday, the traders’ community declared a nationwide strike for August 28 to protest against high taxes, inflated electricity bills, and the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme.’
During a press conference at the National Press Club, strike leaders Mohammad Kashif Chaudhry and Ajmal Baloch announced a complete “shutter down” across the country on the specified date.
Several months ago, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) launched the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme’ to integrate traders and wholesalers into the formal tax system, as mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The traders’ community has rejected the scheme and called for its withdrawal, along with the removal of withholding tax on food items.
At the press conference, participants called on the government to lower electricity tariffs, eliminate the slab system in bills, and reverse the recent hike in income tax slabs for salaried individuals and businessmen.
They also urged the government to renegotiate agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) due to the unaffordable, inflated electricity bills that exceed the financial capacity of many citizens.
The traders also called for the withdrawal of Statutory Regulatory Orders (SROs) 236G and 236H, which impose advance taxes on sales to distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. They criticized the government for heavy taxation on the public while officials benefited from free electricity, fuel, and vehicles.
Traders suggested that government officials, including the Prime Minister, President, and cabinet members, should use modest cars like the Cultus, arguing that in the current economic crisis, luxury vehicles are unjustifiable.