PESHAWAR: The Executive Committee of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has announced complete support to the traders’ strike against the imposition of additional taxes, documentation of retailers and “unfair fines” imposed in the federal and provincial budgets for 2019-20.
The support was extended through a resolution, which was passed unanimously by the Sarhad chamber’s executive body, chaired by SCCI President Faiz Muhammad Faizi in Swat, according to a statement issued on Friday.
“The trading community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would observe a strike tomorrow (Saturday) against the ‘tough measures’ adopted by the government in the budget,” the statement reads.
In order to express solidarity with the traders’ community, the SCCI’s committee decided that the chamber house would remain closed on Friday.
The committee criticised the government’s budgetary measures and demanded the withdrawal of additional taxes. It also asked the government to stop different departments, including the Federal Board of Revenue, from harassing the businessmen.
The SCCI members said if the government fails to address the grievances of the business community, the economy, which is already struggling, would deteriorate to unprecedented levels.
Meanwhile, the meeting accorded approval for the establishment of the election commission to hold the SCCI election for the year 2019-20. It also approved the schedule for the chamber’s election.
On the occasion, Small Industries Development Board (IDB) Managing Director Ghazanfar Ali briefed the participants regarding the setting up of the proposed Small Industrial Estate in Swat, while TEVTA Director Nazir Ahmad informed the SCCI regarding the performance of Technical and Vocational Institute in the city.
During the meeting, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) provincial chief Rashid Aman, through a multi-media presentation, briefed the participants about the Economic Revitalization of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata (ERKF) project along with other schemes for the promotion of small businesses and enterprises in Swat.
SCCI Vice President Haris Mufti, former FPCCI president Ghazanfar Bilour, former SCCI president Zahidullah Shinwari and Swat Chamber President Yousaf Ali were also present during the meeting.
The SCCI executive committee members included Malik Mohammad Niaz Awan, Malik Imran Ishaq, Shafiq Afridi, Minhajuddin, Nisarullah Khan, Shamsul Rahim Afridi, Engr Maqsood Anwar Pervez, Nadeem Rauf, Mohammad Shafiq, Rashid Iqbal Siddique, Ghazanfar Sawal and Husnain Khurshid.
