Traders Close Businesses to Protest Tax Hikes.On Wednesday, traders around the nation stage a nationwide strike in opposition to the government’s tax measures and the growing cost of electricity.

Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), and other political parties have endorsed the nationwide strike in solidarity with the traders.

Ahead of the strike, the Anjuman-e-Tajiran Karachi in Karachi declared that all businesses will be closed today.

“The political leadership has failed,” declared Javed Shams, the president of the Sindh branch of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, declaring his support for the countrywide walkout.

But the Karachi Electronics Deaclears Association has also backed the call for a strike. KEDA President Mohammad Rizwan said that all trade unions from Karachi to Khyber are participating in the walkout. “If the issues are not resolved, the duration of the strike may increase,” said Rizwan. “All Karachi Traders Union President Atiq Mir termed the strike as one of the citizens and not traders.” Shams added that all businesses will be completely closed today in all small and big cities of Sindh. “[We] reject the hike in taxes and electricity bills. Rizwan further stated that. But  the ruling class wants to take away the people’s right to live. The average person is concerned about inflation.

In response to the nationwide walkout, Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Implementation and Monitoring.  Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, declared that traders would not exert pressure on the government.

Speaking on the “Geo Pakistan” show on Geo News, Khan asked the traders to a discussion if they thought the government was in the “wrong. Traders Close Businesses to Protest Tax Hikes

He continud by saying that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was reorganizd by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. And he insistd that the retail industry must be includd in the tax system.

Many cities in Sindh, like as Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Sajawal, and others, are witnessing a walkout by traders, who are closing both small and large enterprises in support of their protest.

“Professional taxes, withholding taxes, and monthly taxes are anti-business policies,” stated Waqar Memon, president of the Sindh Traders Association.

Following the Central Traders Association of Pakistan’s call for a nationwide strike all business centers in Punjab. And including Vehari have closed. This includes all markets, including those on Club Road, Jinnah Road, Luddun Road, Rail Bazaar, Choori Bazar, and Multan Road.

In support of the request, the group president said that the traders were subject to “cruel taxes” levied by the government.

All main and local markets in the inner city areas of Gujranwala, including the Steel, Sanitary, and Cloth markets. As well as the ones in the Satellite Town, will be closd. The demand for a strike has also received support from the city’s mobile phone organization.

Trade unions are requesting that the increase in power prices and the reduction of tax rates be rescinded, and traders’ organizations are observing the strike in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Every market has been closd, including Khyber Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, Shafi Market, and Qisa Khwani. In front of the closed markets, trade associations have erected protest camps.

All commercial centers in Dera Ismail Khan are closd as part of a full strike by traders, who have the backing of the traders’ organization, traders’ union, and traders’ action committee.

Following the walkout traders in Punjabi cities also  Chichawatani. But closed their markets and commercial centers. Demanding that the government remove “cruel” levies and lower the cost of power.

However, JI in Charsadda has also demanded a walkout by traders.

The religio-political party had said earlier this week that it will undertake. But a  nationwide shutter-down strike on. August 28 (today) in an effort to put further pressure on the coalition government to give aid to the public.

The announcement followed the party’s successful negotiations with the government to postpone its 14-day sit-in. The demands includd cuttng high power tariffs and reviewing agreements with Independent Power Producers. Which have come under scrutiny as individuals are paying large bills. That are attributd to capacity payments made to these producers.