Drugs retailers call off strike, warn of countrywide post-Eid protests

Withdrawing their call for a shutter-down strike on Monday in larger public interest, pharmacy owners and drug retailers have warned of holding countrywide sit-ins and protests after Eid-ul-Azha if the decision to levy an advance tax on drug retailers is not withdrawn.

“We have withdrawn our call for the shutter-down strike on Monday in the larger interest of people but we will hold protest demonstrations and sit-ins throughout the country if the advance tax on drug retailers is not withdrawn,” Salahuddin Shaikh, chairman of the Pakistan Chemists & Druggists Association, said on Saturday.

Talking to journalists at his office in Karachi following a virtual consultation with their office-bearers throughout the country, Shaikh said they are ready for an indefinite country-wide strike from Monday, but due to the fourth wave of Covid-19, they have decided to defer the strike, warning that protests and sit-ins will be held through the country after Eid.

“And if the government remains unmoved, we will march to Islamabad by closing our businesses, and hold a protest demonstration at D-Chowk,” he further warned.

Over 90 per cent of the pharmacies and medical stores had remained closed on Thursday in protest against the imposition of an advance tax on pharmacies and drug retailers in the country.