Karachi: All Pakistan Traders Association threatened to protest against Tajir Dost tax scheme launched by government to bring 3.5 million retailers into tax net. 

President All Pakistan Traders Association Ajmal Baloch vowed to protest across country from May 14, if they were forced to register in Tajir Dost tax scheme, without addressing reservations.

Baloch said Tajir Dost tax scheme has failed to attract traders’ community and urged Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to hold talks with them for redressal of their reservations. He made it clear that traders won’t get themselves registered in scheme without solution to their grievances.

Leader of the traders’ body also warned of protests from May 14 across country in case of any strictness. Baloch claimed Rs 1,200 yearly fixed tax on traders is ‘fraud’ as traders are already paying fixed advance tax on commercial electricity bills. Fixed advance tax cannot be charged from traders, he added. Earlier, Pakistan traders’ body leader said traders were already paying 13 different types of taxes on commercial meter. He alleged that FBR officers are taking “Monthly charges” from traders, who are mostly less educated.