THIS is with reference to the report “Traders’ protest cripples business across the country” (Aug 29). Traders and shopkeepers observed a shutter-down strike against the ‘trader-friendly scheme’ launched by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). They found it unfriendly.

The nationwide protest was provided the political muscle by a couple of right-wing parties which jumped on the bandwagon to earn some political mileage out of it. Moreover, the main opposition party in the country has also indicated that it may join the protest in the next phase. Clearly, no one wants to miss out on an opportunity.

Perhaps it will be in the fitness of things if the salaried class also decides to join the protest, or launch one of its own.

As things stand, income tax of salaried class is deducted at source without getting employees’ consent. This makes it the only regular tax-paying segment of society.

It is now clear that no one in Pakistan wants to pay taxes willingly. At a press conference not too long ago, a leader

of the community of traders was seen narrating his experience of giving bhatta amounting to millions of rupees to a political party in Karachi. He had to pay every time it was demanded, he said. When asked why he did not refuse, he laughed and said: “Who wants to die?”

Ironically, I have seen the same trader holding a press conference against paying a nominal sum as tax to the government.

In essence, all those who do not want to pay their taxes willingly, including traders, agriculturalists as well as politi-cians, have now joined hands against the government. More protests seem to be in offing. Let us keep our fingers crossed.

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024