Karachi traders have threatened to declare markets no-go area for tax collectors if the Federal Board of Revenue chairman did not apologise for allegedly harassing them in a meeting on Saturday.

They boycotted the meeting over Zubair Tiwana’s “behaviour” towards them, according to reports.

Traders from across the country attended the meeting via video link where matters related to taxes, the Tajir Dost Scheme, and their issues were discussed.

After the disorderly conduct during the meeting, the traders of Karachi walked out of the meeting.

Mohammad Sharjeel Gopalani, president of the All-City Tajir Itehhad, claimed that the FBR Chairman heard the traders of every city, but the traders of Karachi were not heard. “When we tried to speak, the opportunity was given to the traders of other cities. They deliberately did not give a chance to the traders of Karachi,” he told reporters after the meeting.

He added that Karachi traders pay the highest taxes in the country.

Gopalani warned that markets would be declared “no-go areas” for tax officials if the FBR chairman does not apologise.