Traders Threaten Nationwide Protests Over New Tax Scheme

The trader community has threatened to take to the streets in protest against the government’s new tax scheme, which they have labelled as “anti-trader.” The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran (APAT) and the Traders Action Committee have issued directives to traders nationwide, urging them to prepare for demonstrations.

Ajmal Baloch, President of APAT and the Traders Action Committee Islamabad, stated on Saturday that the trader community across Pakistan has outright rejected the government’s newly introduced trader-friendly tax scheme, describing it as “anti-trader.” He called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to withdraw the SRO immediately and engage in negotiations based on traders’ suggestions.

“The valuation table set by the FBR is impractical and unjust to various markets in smaller cities, as well as in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar, and Faisalabad,” Baloch said. “What is the fault of the old taxpayers who are also included in this scheme? Expanding the tax net is necessary, but the question lies in FBR’s capacity.”

Baloch emphasised that traders across the country have been advised to prepare for protests and shutdowns, declaring that the trader-friendly scheme will not be implemented under any circumstances. Speaking at an online consultative meeting with Malik Mehr Ilahi, President of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Traders, Abdul Rahim Kakar, President of Balochistan Traders, Abdul Qayoom Qureshi, President of Sindh Traders, Jameel Ahmed Paracha, Chairman of Sindh Traders Ittehad, Iftikhar Feroz, President of Azad Kashmir Traders, and Tariq Kareem, President of South Punjab Traders, Baloch highlighted the dire situation faced by traders.

“There has been a 70% decline in purchasing across the country. Electricity bills have broken the traders’ backs. Under such conditions, it has become extremely difficult to conduct business, and if the situation persists, traders will be forced to shut down their businesses,” Baloch warned.