Islamabad/Karachi/Lahore:
There have been cracks within the trading communities over the planned strike on Saturday, with some groups calling it after negotiations with the government, while others remain firm by moving on with it.
Following talks with officials, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) announced President Atif Ikram Sheikh that the nationwide shutter-down strike had been interrupted, claiming the government had accepted the demands of business. He added that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would not exercise his newly assigned powers for the time being.
“The trading bodies across the country are with us, and the federation does not want to fight with anyone,” said the FPCCI president, adding, “we want to solve problems through negotiations.”
He said the traders had reservations about various amendments to the Finance Act, while the government has insured to undergo Article 37a of the Finance Act.
The FPCCI president said that four-member committee has been set up. However, he said that a strike can be observed sporadically.
In a VRI, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) took a strong point of view and announced that the strike would not be interrupted until written insurance is received from the authorities.
When he spoke at a press conference, KCCI President Javed Balwani said a meeting was held on Friday with the government negotiation committee, chairman of Haroon Akhtar Khan, in the presence of Prime Minister for Finance and FBR chief. “The government accepted most of our claims verbally, but we did not get a written insurance, so we have decided to move on with the strike,” the KCCI president said.
E said that all markets in Karachi, including Jodia Bazaar, Electronics Market, Fruit and Vegetable Market and other business centers, will remain closed on Saturday. Karachi Mobile and Electronics Dealers Association, All Pakistan Restaurant Association and the city’s transport organizations have also supported the strike.
He warned to extend the scope of protest if their claims were not met at the next meeting. Originally the strike will be observed for a day, then two days and then throughout the week, if necessary, warned the KCCI president
“We work for 7 days while the bureaucracy works for 5 days, even then we push against the wall,” Balwani said, adding, “We are tax payers, and unnecessary burden should not be put on us.”
President of Fruit and Vegetable Market Abdul Qadeem Agha said: “We reject strict laws like 37a and 37b of FBR, adding the tax of 0.2 million cash transactions is also unacceptable.”
Karachi Mobile and Electronics Dealers Association President Muhammad Minhaj Gulfam said that all electronics and mobile markets in Karachi will remain closed today.
Meanwhile, Anjuman Tajiran president Mujahid Maqsood butt also announced observation of strike today. He said business will not be caught by government tactics.
He demanded that the government immediately withdraw all the black laws in the FBR and added: “We will not withdraw in any circumstances before the abolition of FBR’s controversial powers. He announced that all wholesale markets in Lahore will remain closed on Saturday.
