The Wholesalers and Grossers Association has called for a three-day nationwide strike starting July 31 to protest what they describe as an unjust withholding tax imposed in the budget for 2024-25. The strike will see grocery shops, grain markets, and wholesale markets shut down until August 2. In a statement issued on Monday, the association’s spokesperson emphasized that the protest will persist until the tax is abolished.
The decision comes amid rising tensions between the traders’ community and the government over the recent Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) under the Tajir-Dost Scheme. President of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, AjmalBaloch, has expressed strong opposition to the SRO issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Baloch warned of a potential nationwide shutdown if the SRO is not withdrawn.
He criticized the SRO for not aligning with previously agreed terms between the government and traders and noted that the scheme has failed to meet its objectives. Baloch highlighted that both filers and non-filers are already paying advance income tax through their electricity bills, arguing that the new SRO adds an additional, unjust burden on traders.
