Traders community of Lahore observed strike here on Tuesday to press the government to withdraw 0.6 percent withholding tax on bank transactions over Rs 50,000. According to a survey conducted by Business Recorder, all the major markets including Akbari Mandi, Shah Alam Market, Rang Mahal, Urdu Bazar, Hall Road, Jail Road, Liberty, Hafeez Center and Defence remained closed throughout the day. However, Mall Road, Anarkali, Icchra Bazar, Karim Block, Loha Market, Shahdra and Township markets remained opened.
Traders failed to adopt a unified protest strategy for Tuesday as their two major bodies had differences on observing strike. All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran president Khalid Pervaiz and its Lahore chapter president Mujahid Maqsood Butt announced a strike. Anjuman-i-Tajiran Pakistan chief Ashraf Bhatti decided not to be part of the protest, pinning hopes with a meeting called by the Finance Minister Dar to be attended by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials and traders to sort out the issue on Wednesday.
President All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran Khalid Pervez termed the strike a success. He also said that traders are united. He said that some so-called pro government leaders were trying to create differences among the traders community. He said that anti-business steps by government must be withdrawn.