Gilgit, Pakistan: Anjuman-i-Tajran and Awami Action Committee (Trader associations) have called complete strike and shutter-down in Gilgit today to press the government for withdrawing of collection of advance tax on banking transactions.
Pamir Times reported that Gilgit markets observed complete shutter-down on third consecutive day on Tuesday as negotiations between the government of Gilgit-Baltistan and traders failed.
Chief Minister GB Hafiz Hifizu Rehman is in Uuntied Kingdom on vacations and administration has failed to break the deadlock Anjuman-i-Tajran and Awami Action Committee.
Pamir Times reported that the business and commercial activities remained suspended in all ten districts of Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday and several rallies were held for demanding withdrawal of the taxes imposed by the government. It is pertinent to mention that GB has a special constitutional status in Pakistan and had been enjoying a different taxation system in past.
Traders are of the view that imposition of taxes is illegal and unconstitutional while government which imposed taxes is now ready for talks but Chief Minister is out of the country and traders are not ready to wait for notification for abolishing taxes while government is saying that notification would be released soon.
The Acting Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Muhammad Akbar Taban is of the view that Federal Government had issued notification for not collecting advance tax on banking transactions and other matters would also resolve.
It is pertinent to mention that government did not think about special constitutional status of GB before announcing uncalled for taxation and now is ready to withdraw. “Senseless decisions and then their withdrawal are non-professionalism conduct of federal government. PMLN government is making mockery of itself”, commented Rehmat Nabi a local trader while talking to media.
