Traders observe nationwide strike but social media has no patience for them

Traders across the country are observing a nationwide strike on August 28 to protest against the government’s tax reforms.

Many political parties, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and the Awami National Party (ANP), are supporting the traders’ strike.

Traders’ representatives visited the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) headquarters to express their reservations about the Tajir Dost Scheme, the government’s initiative to bring retailers and traders into the tax net.

FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood told Dawn that the FBR will not withdraw the Tajir Dost Scheme; however, it was willing to resolve the “legitimate issues” the traders may be facing.

According to the Chairman, the retail sector contributes around 20 percent to the GDP, yet it remains largely untaxed.

Social media had no patience for the traders.

One social media user posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the retail sector pays less than Rs20 billion income tax annually while the salaried class pays more than Rs300 billion annually.

Similarly, another netizen took to X to condemn the political parties supporting the traders’ strike because they will be supporting “one of biggest chor sector of retail and wholesale in Pakistan.”