LAHORE – Arthis, grain and vegetable traders in the provincial capital have teamed up against the imposition of 3.5 percent Withholding Tax (WHT) on agriculture produce. Traders believe that the imposition of WHT on agriculture produce would further jack up the prices of every day commodities.
Speaking to Pakistan Today, Lahore Anjumane Arthian President Chaudhry Ejaz said that traders and vendors were up in arms at the imposition of WHT on agriculture, as it would not only eat away the liquidity of the traders but also increased the cost of agriculture produce. He said their body had called a meeting today to decide a future strategy in this regard.
However, he said, no intimation or notification had been received yet, but traders were really worried about this new taxation. He said that the imposition of WHT on agriculture produce would further increase the food inflation, which was already touching peaks.
Ejaz pointed out that traders from different fruit and vegetable markets had already launched campaigns against WHT imposition. A number of protests have already been staged in different vegetable and fruit markets and traders have pledged not to give up in their struggle against the new taxation regime.
Noted trader based in Akbari Market and Lahore Sugar Dealers Association President Asghar Butt said that too much fear was being witnessed among traders about the new WHT on agriculture produce. He said that traders bodies were brainstorming to get rid of the of the new taxation regime. He disclosed that Akbari Market traders had also planned a meeting to formulate a future strategy.