MULTAN/LAHORE: The Markazi Anjuman Tajiran in Multan announced observing a two-day countrywide shutdown on Tuesday (today) and Wednesday.

Accompanied by representatives of traders, Markazi Anjuman Tajiran Chairman Khwaja Suleman Siddiqi said besides the shutdown, protest rallies would also be organised in Multan from Bazaar Chowk near Wali Muhammad Mosque to Hussain Aagahi Chowk and from Androon Bohar Gate to Bohar Gate Chowk on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

He said hunger strike camps would also be established by the traders who would also present a charter of demands and burn the effigies of Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Shabbar Zaidi.

Mr Siddiqi said that in case the government failed to accept the demands of traders, they would hold sit-ins outside the Parliament House and FBR headquarters in Islamabad.

He demanded the government remove the FBR chairman who had been nominated for the post by the International Monitoring Fund (IMF).

LCCI supports traders’ call for countrywide strike

The representatives of the Chamber of Small Traders also announced to observe the shutdown.

The representatives of the chamber, led by its Chairman Ehtashamul Haq, distributed pamphlets among the traders of various markets.

In the provincial capital, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) announced its support for the traders’ shutdown call for Oct 29 and 30, criticising the government for bringing businesses in a blind alley.

“We are standing by the trading community protesting against the government. We also support their nationwide strike announced for two days,” said LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh while addressing a meeting of the chamber’s executive committee on Monday.

“Though we support the government aiming to increase tax collection, it has brought businesses in the blind alley and no way out is being given to them. It has compelled the traders to protest and show their shutdown power,” he said.

On the other hand, the traders warned the government to better accept their demands.

“As we will be observing shutter-down strike in Lahore and all other parts of the country for Oct 29 and 30 against inaction of the government over our justified demands, FBR chairman Mr Shabbar Zaidi must be serious and accept our demands in writing,” All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran (APAT) General Secretary Naeem Mir told reporters at a press conference.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2019