Traders reject levy of RGST, flood surcharge: government accused of protecting big landlords

Traders, Industrialists, Labour leaders and Civil Society Members have rejected the levy of the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) regime and Flood Surcharge and said that the government policies are opening flood gates of price hike by protecting the big land lords and monopolists Mafia.
Talking to newsmen, Chaudhry Salamat Ali, Chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) North Zone said that the oppressive decision of the Federal Cabinet will ruined industry and trade of the country. Further, the sky rocketing petroleum Prices, energy crisis including load-shedding of electricity and gas, shortage and black marketing of Cotton and yarn, growing lawlessness has irked the industrialists and businessmen.
He pointed out that the investment was falling due to deteriorating law and order situation, which is showing a decline of 30 percent. Due to ongoing crisis of Sugar, sky rocketing price of essential items, 94 percent increase in electricity tariff and gas, strong protection to the monopolists and speculators the government is increasing miseries of the public especially daily wagers, who have no alternative for livelihood.
Choudhry Salamat Ali urged government to develop an atmosphere conducive for trade and industry and demanded for protecting export oriented and labour intensive industries. He demanded that the cabinet decision for levy of the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) regime and Flood Surcharge should be withdrawn in the national interest. Tax net should be broadened without any discrimination and all feudal should be bound to pay their share in GDP.
Meanwhile, "Traders will take to streets if cabinet decision of imposing RGST was not withdrawn," said Khuwaja Shahid Razzaq Sikka, President, Anjuman Tajran City. Talking to newsmen, he appealed to the members of National Assembly and provincial assemblies to reject the designs of the IMF and America.If rampant corruption is stopped in the country and foreign assists of looted Pakistan wealth transferred into the country, most of the problems would be solved, he added.
Furthermore, Sheikh Abdul Qayyum, President FCCI, Choudhry Abdul Haq, Chairman, Muhammad Akram Ghouri, Vice Chairman, All Pakistan Cotton Powerlooms Association, Hamid Sultan and other civil society members also rejected the levy of the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) regime and Flood Surcharge and stated that the Government Policies are opening flood gates of Price hike of Sonami in the country.