All Pakistan Traders Association President Kashif Chaudhry speaking at a press conference here Monday said that there would be no negotiations with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on whose request the traders called off their four-day strike against the government's anti-business measures in July.
He said that traders from across Pakistan would arrive in the federal capital for a protest march from Melody Market to Parliament House against the government's anti-business measures on October 7 and the next day, a joint future strategy would be announced after taking on board the representatives of various trade bodies across the country.
He added that a member level committee of the FBR was constituted for negotiations with traders but the committee's attitude was totally non-serious. However, there was no progress of the committee and consequently there was no outcome.
Instead of checking smuggling at borders, the FBR teams are raiding shops and retail outlets in the name of verification of import documents and data collection to harass the retail outlets of imported goods.
He added, "We were assured by the FBR that a simplified fixed tax regime for traders (special procedure for shopkeepers) would be introduced; however, it unveiled different slabs of scheme with up to 150 square feet shop located in category 'A' area (fixed annual tax of Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000); shop premises located in category 'A' area exceeding 150 square feet but up to 300 square feet (Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 fixed tax); shop located in other business places except category 'A' area having size of up to 150 square feet (fixed tax of Rs 20,00 to Rs 25,000) and shop located in other business places except category 'A' area having size exceeding 150 square feet but not exceeding 300 square feet (fixed tax of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000). The category 'A' means an area where value of shop exceeds Rs 10,000 per square feet as per the FBR valuation table or DC rate whichever is higher as applicable.
Similarly, the FBR has introduced a different scheme (income tax special procedure for traders), according to which trader, including both retailer and wholesaler, shall be an individual or association of persons carrying on business of buying and supplying goods to the general public or other businesses for the purpose of consumption and has a turnover less than Rs 50 million; self-invested equity less than Rs 50 million; cost of fixed assets less than Rs 100 million; and number of employees less than or equal to five.
He regretted that Prime Minister Imran Khan does not have time for traders whereas the adviser on finance has been busy with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) whose policies are going to hurt the country's economy.
"We have proposed a simple tax regime for traders with tax on annual return," he said and accused the FBR of being non-serious.
"We express total dissatisfaction over the government's economic policies because economy of the country is being destroyed on the directions of the IMF," added Chaudhry. "We have decided not to hold talks with the government."
Punjab Traders Association President Sharjeel Ahmed said that sales have declined by 40 percent due to government's decision announced in the budget 2019-20, which would create unemployment. He stated that traders from across Punjab would come to Islamabad.
He said that after the one-day march, a traders' convention would be held where the future plan of action would be decided, which could be in the shape of lockdown of major cities, shutter-down strikes for an indefinite period and taking out protest marches across Pakistan.