APAT announces countrywide shutter-down against taxes, price-hike on July 13

LAHORE (92 News) – All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran (APAT) on Friday announced to observe shutter-down across the country on Saturday (tomorrow) against what it called unjustified taxes and price-hike. Traders' groups in Karachi and Lahore remained divided over observing strike. APAT’s secretary general Naeem Mir told a press conference in the provincial capital that July 13’s strike would be the biggest-ever peaceful strike in the country, claiming the strike is not associated with the traders only as it is the voice of each Pakistani. He claimed that seven traders’ groups were present at the news conference and showing unity against anti-economy policies by the government. “We shall withdraw the strike call if the eighth group that has dissociated it from the strike show us the notification of acceptance of demands by the government,” Mir questioned? Other leaders said some ministers had no authority to get their demands fulfilled. They alleged efforts are being made to split traders over strike. Leaders said the government wanted to destroy economy and that the government is attempting to deceive traders by saying value-added tax would be implemented only on consumers. They further said the traders sitting in the press conference are only traders and the cause had no link to any personal or political affiliation. On the other hand, the Pakistan Traders Alliance on Thursday announced to end strike after successful negotiations with the Punjab government. Karachi Electronic Dealers Association, however, said they would continue will with the shutter-down strike in the city. Last week, the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) had announced a nationwide shutter-down strike from July 13 against the government in several cities of the country for a hike in sales tax in the federal budget.