Traders agreed on implementation of withholding tax: Ishaq Dar
Dar says withholding tax should stay, Ajmal Baloch says traders, govt have come close to agreement
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has on Friday said that the traders have agreed on the implementation of withholding tax. Although there was no breakthrough in the talks between the government and traders today, Dar says that the tax should stay and the traders’ leader Ajmal Baloch says that the traders and the government are close to agreement, reported Dunya News.
Talks between trader and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials were held in Islamabad today. All Pakistan Traders Association (Khalid Pervez group) left the talks since no breakthrough was coming off. The talks were later joined by Ishaq Dar as well.
Talking to media after extensive discussions, Ishaq Dar said that the government is serious about this subject and there was progress in the talks. He said that there will be more talks on Wednesday.
Talking on this occasion, Ajmal Baloch said that a decision on withholding tax is near and all outstanding issues were discussed. He said that the government assured of addressing traders’ issues. He said that the traders will be given the good news on Wednesday.
Holding another press conference, All Pakistan Traders Association, Khalid Pervez said that he rejected the withholding tax completely, being the true representative of the traders. He said that he met Ishaq Dar upon the request of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif but the government tried to strike a bargain with them. He said that since Ishaq Dar has decided not to withdraw the withholding tax, there will be no changes in the traders’ position.
Khalid Pervez was accompanied on this occasion by All Pakistan Traders Association Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Balochistan representatives as well. The traders’ leaders said that the future strategy will be announced on 14 October after Quetta meeting.
