Summary The traders have threatened to stage strike indefinitely if demands not met
KARACHI (Dunya News) – The traders’ strike across the country against withholding tax on banking transactions has caused a loss of Rs 30 billion to the economy, Dunya News reported.
The traders community staged protests across the country against a 0.3% withholding tax on banking transactions. Business in Karachi in general observed a complete shutter down.
Reportedly, at least 1 lakh 80 thousand shops in 600 small and major markets in Karachi remained closed. The president of All Karachi Traders’ Union, Atiq Mir said that closing shops only in Karachi caused a loss of Rs 4 billion worth of business activity.
The shutter down strike also cost a day worth of income to daily-wage labourers. The traders have threatened to stage strike for indefinite period if the imposition of withholding tax is not withdrawn.
Majority of shops remained shut in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and other cities as well.
All business centers remained shut in Quetta as well and the strike was seen in Pashin, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Chaman and Mastung as well.
In Peshawar, the strike was seen in all major business centers including Qissa Khawani Bazar, Khyber Bazar, Chowk Yadgar and Ashraf Road.
