Black day observed in Sialkot against proposed increase in taxes

SIALKOT: Industrialists and exporters observed Wednesday as a black day against proposed increase in taxes and other anti industry steps by the government.Thousands of local factory owners and industry workers tied black armbands and staged a protest demonstration.
The protest was led by Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Fazal Jilani, Ready Made Garments Association chairman Ejaz A Khokhar, Sialkot Dry Port chairman Kh Khawar Anwer, Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association chairman Tahir Ishfaq, Sports Goods Manufacturers Association Vice Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad, Gloves Manufacturers Association chairman Muhammad Younas, Leather Garments Association chairman Ahtesham Gillani, Ahmad Zulfiqar Hayat and others.
The participants raised slogans against the government functionaries and the officials of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Customs and other departments.The protesting businessmen besieged the Regional Office of FBR at Kutchery Road, where Fazal Jilani, Mian Muhammad Anwer and other showed their dissatisfaction over the proposed increase in the ratio of General Sales Tax from 2 to 5 per cent and termed the proposal as cruel and crippling for the already dwindling industrial sector.
They urged the government to take some serious steps to pay back outstanding dues amounting to Rs 160 billion as General Sales Tax Refund to thousands of local exporters before considering any negative proposals of increasing the GST or imposing any new tax. They also demanded an immediate end to the 15 per cent Regulatory Duty against the import of stainless steel.
Later, the senior officer from local Regional Office of FBR negotiated with the protesting businessmen and assured them that their reservations would be immediately communicated with the higher officers.
After this the protesters headed towards Sialkot Dry Port in Sambrial where they besieged the Customs Collectorate and halted the shipments to be exported as a protest. Later, they stopped their protest upon the assurance of early solution of their issues from senior Custom officials. Local business community has vowed to continue their protest till the fulfillment of their rightful demands.