Traders of Sindh and Balochistan have announced a province-wide business shutdown on August 28, Wednesday, against new taxes and exorbitant electricity bills.

“The rulers have turned out to be traitors and usurpers who do not care about the comfort of the people,” Ateeq Mir, the All Karachi Traders Alliance president, said at a press conference on Sunday.

“Instead of providing relief to those dying of hunger, taxes have been imposed on food grains, and electricity bills have been made so expensive that people are committing suicide.”

Several shopkeepers and traders have complained about the high electricity bills, saying that it has been difficult to do business amid such utility costs. The government has launched a Tajir Dost Scheme to broaden the tax net, but a small number of people have registered through the portal as compared to the high number of traders.

Some experts believe that traders and wholesalers always resist whenever the government demands them to pay taxes to contribute to the economy.

Mir said that businesses were in a crisis and the leaders had not stopped their “extravagance” while the common people were “suffering.” He wondered whether the government wanted to turn the country’s situation like Bangladesh or Sri Lanka by imposing taxes on basic items.

“Businesses will remain closed in Sindh on August 28 to save the economy and businesses,” Central Traders Association President Kashif Chaudhry said.

“The strike is against the 40 thieves of expensive electricity and IPPs, as well as the 13 taxes on electricity, totalling Rs2,800 billion in payments. No citizen can afford such expensive electricity bills and traders are selling their assets to pay the bills while industries are shutting down and unemployment is rising.”

Balochistan

Meanwhile, trader leaders from Balochistan have also announced to go on strike on Wednesday against “unjust action against traders”.

Traders body head Ajmal Baloch stated that the government wants to impose an income tax on their property, which is “unprecedented” as income tax is typically levied on income.

Also, read this

Income tax calculator for FY 2024-25

Who got tax exemption in cash-strapped Pakistan’s budget?

Mustafa Kamal urges public office holders to surrender 25% of property

“The current economic situation has reduced business activity by 30%, making it impossible to cover expenses. Leaders are not willing to cut their own expenses and traders do not need any political party to make their voice heard, as we know how to get our demands accepted,” he said.

Government invites traders to meeting on Tuesday

Naeem Meer, the coordinator of the Tajir Dost Scheme, stated that the Federal Board of Revenue has invited trader representatives for negotiations on August 27 at 3pm where consultations would be held on the revised statutory regulatory order (SRO) of the scheme.

He expressed hope that the trader leaders would respond positively. “We want to resolve all issues collectively. The country cannot bear strikes and protests. We will fulfil all the legitimate demands of the traders,” he said.