PESHAWAR: All major bazaars and markets in the provincial metropolis remained closed on Tuesday as traders observed complete shutter down strike against the budgetary measures of the government.

The strike was observed on the call All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran. The protesting traders were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against FBR, CNIC condition and other budgetary measures. They vowed to continue the strike on Wednesday (today).

The leaders of the traders said that five leading groups of business community had joined hands to make the strike a success. They said that no one was ready to accept the government’s condition to submit a copy of Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) on sale and purchase of items valued at and over Rs50,000.

All shopping centres in the city and cantonment remained closed as the leaders of traders were visiting different areas to ensure success of the strike.

Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz told journalists that that demands of traders were genuine and needed prompt attention to remove unrest among them.

Traders in Kohat and Haripur reject call for shutter down

He said that people wanted to pay taxes but the government should also listen to their demands for serious consideration instead of overburdening the existing taxpayers.

In Kohat, all bazaars remained opened on Tuesday owing to differences between two groups of businessmen.

The Tajir Action Committee denounced call for shutter down strike owing to differences with the provincial office-bearers, who had turned down the strike call when two leaders of the committee were arrested a fortnight ago.

However Tajir Ittehad announced to back the call for shutter down strike.

In Haripur, traders rejected the strike call for strike and kept their shops open. In Mansehra, traders observed partial shutdown strike against imposition of various taxes across Hazara division.

The shutter down strike was observed in Mansehra, Torghar and Kohistan districts. The business centres and shops remained closed in Balakot, Shinkiari, Jabori and other parts of Hazara. However, shops remained open in Oghi and other parts of the division.

In Battagram, complete shutter down strike was observed by traders against the new tax policies of the government.

The traders asked the government to provide them relief and create business-friendly environment so that they could contribute to national economy.

They criticised the PTI government for economic instability and inflation in the country.

In Dera Ismail Khan, complete shutter down strike was observed. Bazaar Misgaran, Commisioneri Bazaar, Bakhri Bazaar, Rahim Bazaar, Kalan Bazaar, Muslim Bazaar, Tijarat Ganj and other markets in the city including Gomal Market, Khyber Market, Mian Commercial, Anar Kalli Markat, Rabo Centre, Gulf Plaza and shopping centres on Circular Road remained closed owing to the strike.

However, partial strike was observed at the markets on Bannu Road, Multan Road and Tank Adda.

In Charsadda, complete shutter down strike was observed in different bazaars. Traders staged a sit in at Farooq Azam Chowk that was attended by workers of political parties. The local leaders of political parties extended support to traders in their protest against imposition of taxes.

The shops and markets in Tangi tehsil, Umarzai, Uthmanzai, Sardheri, Rahar, Hari Chand, Mandani and other areas remained closed.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2019