ISLAMABAD: In a rare show of unity and widespread discontent, traders across the country on Wednesday observed a nationwide strike, bringing major markets and shops to a grinding halt in protest against the skyrocketing power bills and recently-announced ‘tax reforms’ by the government aimed at bringing more and more retail sector into the tax net.

Reports pouring in from different parts of the country suggest that the strike remained largely successful. However, some high-end retailers selling branded goods remained open in large cities, including the federal capital.

The strike call given by various bodies of the traders also received support from some political parties, particularly the religious parties, who joined traders in staging protest demonstrations and bringing out rallies in various cities.

Encouraged by the “successful power show,” the traders have vowed to continue their agitation, stating that they would soon announce the second phase of their protest plan after giving some time to the government to respond to their demands.

Community vows to announce second phase of agitation as shutter-down call remains largely successful

Some representatives of the traders had visited the headquarters of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in Islamabad on Tuesday to express their discontent to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood and his team regarding the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme’ which was implemented in April, and the recently notified tax rates that took effect in August.

After the meeting with the traders’ delegation, Mr Mahmood had stated that the FBR was willing to resolve ‘legitimate issues’ raised by the traders and that they were even ready to make amendments to the SRO to address their concerns. However, he had emphasised that the FBR would not withdraw the Tajir Dost Scheme, which aimed to bring the retail sector under the tax net.

In the federal capital, not only the traders and the small businesses, but even many outlets of the national clothing brands participated in the strike and even most of the tea stalls and local restaurants suspended their activities. The strike was observed in markets, including Blue Area and F-6 Markaz, while the impact was clearly visible in the low and mid-level markets as well as on the outskirts of the city.

Due to the support of the Naanbai Association, almost all the tandoors in the city too remained closed.

The leaders of the traders’ bodies termed the shutter-down strike a referendum against the “malpractices” in the FBR as president of Anjuman-i-Tajiran Pakistan Ajmal Baloch asked the government to bring reforms in the FBR first to bridge the trust deficit.

Sindh, Punjab

The business activities across Karachi and parts of Sindh remained suspended in protest against growing inflation and inflated power bills.

In Karachi, all major business centres, commercial districts and industrial activities remained suspended. The call for the strike had also been given by the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and its office-bearer called it “a historic strike” reflecting “anger and frustration” of the society against the power bills structures, “loot and plunder of IPPs” and failure of the country’s economic managers.

Amid closure of wholesale and retail businesses and industrial activities, shops in residential areas, fuel stations, transport services and restaurants, however, continued their activities unaffected.

In Lahore and Rawalpindi, markets and businesses by and large remained closed.

While addressing a presser at Mansoorah, JI emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman congratulated the nation and traders’ organisations on the success of the strike. He said the strike had sent a strong message to the government to provide relief to the people on electricity tariffs, eliminate unjust taxes on the business community and establish a transparent mechanism to address these issues.

The JI chief noted that while this was the first call for a peaceful strike, his party would continue escalating efforts, if the government failed to pay heeds to their demands. He warned that further strikes as well as long marches and sit-ins in Islamabad could be organised. “We have initiated discussions with trade organisations regarding our future strategy and will issue more calls of strike, if our demands are not fulfilled”, he declared, adding the government has 25 days to implement the agreement it had signed with the JI after the 14-day sit-in in Rawalpindi last month.

Mr Rehman criticised the ruling elite for their wastefulness and luxury at the expense of state resources, urging the imposition of taxes on feudal lords and the cancellation of unfair agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

The JI chief condemned the pressure tactics allegedly used by police in various cities to coerce shopkeepers into opening their businesses. He praised nationwide solidarity, particularly thanking the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry for supporting the strike.

In Rawalpindi, businessmen kept their shutters down, observing a complete strike against the ‘Tajir Dost Scheme’. All the main commercial hubs, including Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, Liaquat Road, Sarafa Bazaar, Bank Road, Haider Road, Adamjee Road, College Road, Urdu Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Mochi Bazaar, Bara Market, China Market and Commercial Market remained closed throughout the day.

Rawalpindi Cantonment Traders Association general secretary Zafar Qadri said they would see the response of the government in a few days and if the government failed to accept their demands then the traders would stage sit-ins in every city. He said they could go for a three-day shutter down strike in the next phase.

KP, Balochistan

Like other parts of the country, traders across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa observed a complete shutter down strike. All the major markets in almost all the KP districts remained closed with the roads presenting a deserted in the absence of transport.

Political leaders from different political parties, including JI, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) and Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), visited different camps of the protesting traders.

The traders of the province gave a strong response to the strike call given by Central Traders Association, All Pakistan Traders Association and Traders Union and the JI and kept their businesses completely shut.

Kalbe Ali from Islamabad, Aamir Yasin from Rawalpindi, Imran Ayub from Karachi, Ahmad Fraz Khan from Lahore, Umer Farooq from Peshawar and Saleem Shahid from Quetta contributed to the report.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024