Traders in Pindi observe complete strike.

Rawalpindi -- The businessmen and traders on Tuesday observed a complete shutter down strike while responding to a country-wide strike call issued by Traders Associations against new taxation system by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The call for the shutter-down strike was given jointly by different traders associations across the country, who wanted to press the government to accept their charter of demand to simplify the tax procedure, withdraw the new taxes and roll back the taxation measures.

In Rawalpindi, all the main commercial hubs in Raja Bazaar, City Saddar Road, Narankari Bazaar, Gunjmandi, Murree Road, Liaquat Road, Narankari Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Bank Road, College Road, Urdu Bazaar, Sabzi Mandi, Mochi Bazaar, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni Chowk, Bara Market, China Market and Commercial Market downed the shutters throughout the day. Whereas small shops in the markets of residential areas were open.

Interestingly, the shops in and around Lal Haveli -political office of Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed- also remained closed as the shopkeepers expressed their solidarity with the traders against the government. Medical stores also participated in the strike. However, some market owners erected tents around their outlets to avoid stone pelting. Overall the strike remained peaceful. No incident of the force closure of the shops was reported.

Shahid Ghafoor...