The sizing industry continued shutter-down strike on 10th consecutive day to protest against the imposition of 17 percent sales tax, here on Tuesday. Around 100,000 powerlooms remained closed due to shortage of raw material because sizing factories are not working. Yarn market remained dull and presented a deserted look.
Members of Pakistan Sizing Industries Association staged protest against the imposition of sales tax and 15 percent flood tax surcharge on existing 0.3 percent withholding tax the withdrawal of cash from banks as well as on taxpayers. Addressing the protest meeting of industrialists and workers, Shakeel Ahmad Ansari, Chairman, Pakistan Sizing Industries Association said that government should be issued notification for sales tax exemption to the sizing and powerloom sectors to clarify actual position of the government and FBR. He announced that the strike of sizing industries would continue till acceptance of their demands.
He pointed out that the government has not clarified whether the sizing industry has been exempted from the sales tax or not, adding that till they receive notification of withdrawal, strike would remain continued. He demanded immediate issuance of the notification. Furthermore, the closure of powerlooms had badly affected daily wagers.