The perturbed Sialkot exporters observed “Zero Export Day” on Wednesday to lodge their strong protest against the proposed 3 per cent increase from persisting 2 to 5 per cent in General Sales Tax (GST) by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in the coming federal budget and inordinate delay by Customs and FBR in clearance of Sialkot exporters’ refund and duty draw back claims.
Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Fazal Jillani told that no shipment of any export was made at Sialkot Dry Port Trust (SDPT) as a protest against government, as the Sialkot exporters, observed the “Zero Export Day” in favour of their demands on the appeal of Sialkot’s all the main trade bodies including Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
Earlier, the Sialkot-based leading industrialists, traders and exporters, again came on roads to lodge their strong protest against proposed 3 per cent increase from persisting 2 to 5 per cent in General Sales Tax (GST) by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in the coming federal budget.
The Sialkot-based central chairman of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) Ejaz A Khokhar and president Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Fazal Jillani jointly led this anti-government agitational march. The Sialkot exporters marched on Sialkot city’s commercial hub Paris hub. They were carrying agitational banners and placards besides chanting anti-government slogans.
They also reached the offices of the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Sialkot and Collectorate of Customs at Sialkot Dry Port and presented their demands to the local officials.
All the main trade bodies of Sialkot including Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) have urged the government not to increase the existing ratio of GST in the coming budget, besides announcing the zero-rated status for five export sector by restoring the original status SRO 1125(1)/ 2011, early refund of sales tax claims of Sialkot industry, restoration of imports under SRO 492(1) /2009 and early withdrawal of 15 per cent duty on stainless steel (round bars) wide SRO 18(1)/ 2015, SRO 568 (1)/ 2014.
