All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran (APAT) Wednesday announced to hold countrywide shutter-down strike on October 28 and 29 after their talks with Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) failed on issues ranging from mandatory sales tax registration, computerized national identity card (CNIC) condition and fixed tax regime.

Taking to media persons after holding a dialogue with representatives of FBR, Chairman APAT Khawaja Shafique said that the FBR is not taking the demands of traders seriously and is not ready to accommodate their concerns. "Now we have decided to hold one hour hunger strike in every district on October 15 as well as countrywide shutter-down strike on October 28 and 29 to press the government for fulfilling our demands," he said.

He said, "We would prefer death over economic murder. We still stand by our stance and will not pay unjustified tax."

The countrywide traders' convention, organized by the APAT, criticized the government's economic policies and demanded the government to review the condition of seeking the CNIC of unregistered buyers and the value addition tax.

After the daylong convention here at Aabpara, the traders held a protest rally from Aabpra Chowk to Serena Chowk, which was led by Central President APAT Ajmal Balochi. The traders were intending to lead the protest demonstration towards the FBR House, but they were stopped at the Serena Chowk by the police where the FBR representatives held dialogue with the traders' leadership.

Baloch said that the present government is taking unjustified measures at the behest of International Monetary Fund (IMF). He demanded the government to introduce fixed tax regime for micro, small and medium traders, introduce single page form for income tax return in the Urdu language and exempt them from audit.

He further demanded that under the Sales Tax Act 1990, tier one category of trader should be reconstituted. The law to register traders having 1,000 square feet shops under sale tax regime should be abolished, he said, adding that the condition of presentation of CNIC for sale and purchase should be abolished.

Baloch said that the law which has made compulsory registration of all jewelers for sales tax should be abolished and old law should be imposed.

Traders also demanded to abolish federal excise duty on locally-manufactured vehicles. The rate of turnover tax should be slashed, they said, adding that the traders should not be made withholding agents.

He also demanded that the license fee imposed over middleman at vegetable and fruit markets should be immediately abolished. Import of used mobile phone should be allowed and duty structure should be renewed.

Balochi said if the FBR fails to fulfill their demands, they will be forced to give a call of the countrywide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike.

The district administration deployed heavy contingent of police at venue of protest to avert any untoward incident. Heavy traffic jam was observed on different roads due to which motorists faced problems.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019