LCCI to join traders’ strike today
As traders are set to stage a strike on Wednesday (today) following a call given by the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran against the withholding tax on banking transactions, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has supported the traders and decided to join the strike. Traders’ leaders warned that the protest could extend after Eid-ul-Azha, with a shutter-down strike on October 7, if the government will not accept their demand.
“Talks cannot be held with the government till the withdrawal of this tax,” they said. LCCI President Ijaz Mumtaz has said that his chamber has decided to join with the traders. “Unfortunately, government has not shown any flexibility on the issue of the tax. The government should drop this tax since it has been observed that the tax collection machinery has no authentic data to specify difference between filers and non-filers. It is a sheet injustice and against the government’s own policy of tax net expansion.
“This is a double taxation which is bound to hit the trade and industry hard. The government should understand that protests and strikes always hit the economic activities hard. So, this tax should be withdrawn immediately in the larger interest of the economy. LCCI is with all the trade and industrial associations against this tax imposition.” He further said the tax would force the business community to conduct its monetary transactions in cash that could promote the undocumented economy.
