950811

More trade bodies

endorse Aug 12

strike call

KHALID ABBAS SAIF

FAISALABAD: Kiryana merchants, yarn dealers and owners of goods carriers have also endorsed the strike call for August 12, given by the Anjuman Tajran, Faisalabad. They also announced to participate in country-wide strike on August 26-27 as a protest against the non-acceptance of traders demands. The President, Kiryana Merchants Association, Faisalabad, Mohammad Ashraf Bhallah expressed grave concern over the recent increase in electricity tariff and said that this would cripple our national economy. He strongly demanded that previous tariff be restored immediately.

He warned that traders community would be forced to stop payment of electricity bills if this increase was not withdrawn. The Chairman, Silk Yarn Traders Association, Haji Mohammad Nawaz Wohra announced that all yarn shops will remain close on August 12 and support Anjuman Tajran, Faisalabad. He said that CBR has agreed to simplify the proformas for filing of self-assessment returns, but in this regard delay tactics are being adopted. He allged that the government has totally ignored their demands and despite assurance by the government, one, shop, one house and one car had not exempted from the wealth tax.

He demanded that the return forms be simplified and objectionable queries oblished, otherwise, no income tax returns will be filed. The President, Faisalabad Goods Carriers Association, Haji Ghulam Mohammad Qureshi, said that the decision of Anjuman Tajran would be fully implemented and all services of goods transportation will remain suspended on August 12. The president rejection Grey Cloth Association, Faisalabad, Haji Shoukat Ali said that the economic policies and the rise in power tariff have made life of common man miserable.

The central leader of Anjuman Tajran, Faisalabad, Mian Abdul Manan warned the government to desist from persuing such anti-traders policies and honour its pre-budget promises. If our demands were not met by August 25 trade bodies would participate in country-wide strike. An all Pakistan Traders meeting will be held in Lahore on August 29 to discuss the traders' problems and to draw future line of action.