QUETTA: The business fraternity observed strike in Balochistan on the call of Markazi Anjuman Tajran for the second consecutive day on Wednesday in protest against tax reforms introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue.

All shopping malls, markets, business centres and shopping plazas remained closed in Quetta.

The strike was also observed in other towns and cities of Balochistan also.

Private and public sector banks in Quetta also remained shut as a result of the strike.

Speaking at a press conference, President of the Markazi Anjuman Tajran, Balochistan, Abdul Rahim Kakar said the business fraternity was united against unjustified imposition of heavy taxes on the traders.

He said the business people did not want to strike when the country’s economy was not good, but the wrong policies of the government had forced them to take this extreme step.

He said: “We will not compromise on the condition of CNIC and continue our protest.”

He warned that if the government forced the traders to accept imposition of unjust taxes, they would have no other option but to join the Azadi March of Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad. He, however, said decision in this regard had not been taken so far.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2019