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FPCCI not to

support traders

strike call

KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has decided not to support the strike call given by certain traders on August 26 and 27.

Talking to APP here on Thursday, Acting President FPCCI Sheikh Humayun Saeed said the said body was not a member of Federation which is prime body of entire businessmen and industrialists community in the country.

He said FPCCI will urge the government to bring in changes in the Income Tax Forms if they were really affecting the small traders in the country.

He said an advertisement issued by the said traders federation had created an impression that as if it was released by the FPCCI and added that the organization was not registered with us.

Saeed said when the government had already withdrawn some columns in the IT return forms, the remaining problems can be solved through negotiations.

He said FPCCI was always there to help and protect the interest of small and big traders and industrialists in the solution of problems facing them.

He said at a time when country was passing through political and economic crisis, business community should avoid such strike calls and instead should resort to negotiations.

FPCCI chief hoped that the government will also reciprocate in the same manner and sit with the businessmen to settle the issue as early as possible.

Saeed said he was looking forward to see Finance Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and Chairman Central Board of Revenue (CBR) for the redressal of the problem of the Income Tax Forms.

He also appealed to the newspapers to pay attention to all the trade and industry associations under the umbrella of FPCCI and publish their point of view.

APOSTIC

Meanwhile, All Pakistan Organization of Small Traders and Cottage Industries (Apostic), Karachi Division has decided not to support the strike call given by a certain group of traders on August 26 and 27.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Bashir Miandad where all the market associations of the city took part and decided to remain impartial.

The meeting felt the strike call was politically motivated and given by certain fake trade associations and decided that traders from Karachi will not participate in the strike.

They said that at a time when talks between the government and small traders were continuing there was no reason to give call for strike.

The meeting decided that all the markets in Karachi will remain open in Karachi on August 26 and 27.-APP