KARACHI – The All Pakistan Traders Association warned to hold protests against the Tajir Dost tax scheme, recently launched by the federal government with the aim of bringing 3.5 million retailers into the tax net.
“The date for the protest will be announced during the traders’ May convention,” said Ajmal Baloch, the president of the association.
Baloch objected to Tajir Dost tax scheme, saying that it is nothing but failure. He stated that the schemes devised in consultation with government-favoring traders destined to fail, pointing to the lack of interest among retailers in the registration process as evidence.
Baloch argued that imposing a fixed yearly tax of Rs1,200 on traders is deceptive, considering that they already pay a fixed advance tax on commercial electricity bills. He asserted that charging fixed advance tax from traders is unjustifiable.
Previously, leaders of Pakistan’s traders’ body highlighted that traders already bear the burden of 13 different types of taxes on commercial meters.
“Demanding Rs1,200 per month in taxes while traders already pay Rs15,000 to 20,000 annually is unreasonable,” said Mr. Ajmal.
Ajmal invited officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to engage in discussions with traders’ associations regarding the indirect taxes imposed on traders. Additionally, he accused FBR officers of extorting “monthly charges” from less-educated traders, adding further tension to the situation.
