The government’s tax reform is expected to face strong opposition as traders have called for a nationwide strike today, with partial backing from some political parties and trade associations.
Before the strike, traders met with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood to express their concerns about the Tajir Dost Scheme and new tax rates.
This protest poses a challenge for the PML-N and its coalition partner, the PPP, since many protesting traders are politically aligned with these parties. However, opposition parties like JUI-F, Jamaat-i-Islami, and the Awami National Party have shown support for the striking traders.