government is asking for paying tax on every transaction,” said Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, President Rawalpindi Traders Association.
In Rawalpindi, Raja Bazaar, Ghalla Mandi, Iqbal Road, Wheat Mundi and Mochi and Sarafa bazaars wore a deserted look. In afternoon, however, some shopkeepers opened their shops.
In Islamabad, major markets, including Blue area, Karachi Company, Aabpara, Super Market, Jinnah Market and Markaz were close. Only medial stores and food outlets were open.
“All the traders of the Islamabad have rejected this cruel decision of the government,” said Ajmal Baloch, President Anjuman-e-Tajran Pakistan.
Business community members, led by All Pakistan Agricultural Produce Traders Federation, in Peshawar arranged protest demonstration against the levy.
President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter of the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran Sharafat Ali Mubarak termed the shutter-down as referendum of traders against the decision of the government to levy 0.3 percent tax on the banking transactions.
“We are already paying direct taxes and the government, instead of broadening tax base by bringing new payers into the tax net, is burdening the traders with more taxes,” Mubarak said.
Meanwhile, in Lahore closure of wholesale markets of Akbari, timber, Montgomery Road Auto Part and Badami Bagh kept the visiting retailers who wanted to buy inventories for their shops empty-handed.
The strike, however, did not disturb the normal routine in residential localities in the country’s second largest city as shops operated as usual.
Shops in Barkat Market Garden Town, Garhi Shahu, Dharampura market and Sanda were open.
Bakeries, eateries and medical stores continued to receive shoppers in areas where majority of population are living.
The retailers in the areas said that they had enough stocks to even serve the consumers coming from locations where shops were close.
The stance of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry was unclear, while the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association distanced itself from the strike call. Some of the Pakistan Muslim League Traders Wing gave muted support.
PPI from Sialkot adds: The traders observed partial shutter down strike in Daska, Sambrial, Badiana, Pasrur and surrounding areas.
Reportedly, the shops and shopping centres were close at Tehsil, Bano, Urdu, Kashmiri and Lehaayi bazaars and those located at Railway Mujahid and Karimpura roads.
However, trade centres and shops situated on Kashmir, Circular, Church, Khadim Ali, Gohdpur, Paris, Head Marala and Daska roads were open as usual.