Leaders from the traders’ organisation visited the protest camp at Murree Road Jewelers Market in Rawalpindi to show solidarity with local shopkeepers and press for urgent action on tax and declaration issues. Murree Road jewelers were assured of organisational support and access to government forums, including the Federal Board of Revenue, to press their demands.
Syed Agha Qayoom, General Secretary of the central organisation Tajran Pakistan and President of the Balochistan traders’ body, toured the camp and condemned what he called illegal taxes and persistent harassment by the FBR. He urged immediate resolution of sales tax computations and point-of-sale declaration requirements and called for an end to raids and intimidation of jewellery shops.
The Balochistan traders’ organisation pledged to assist the Murree Road camp and said it stands ready to join wider protests if necessary. Agha Qayoom emphasised that traders must be heard by relevant authorities and that solutions should be reached through dialogue with genuine representatives of the jewellers.
Local association leaders at the camp included Rana Abdul Qadoos, President of Murree Road Jewelers Association, along with Barrister Rehan Javed Rana, Senior Vice President Naqash Shirazi, Vice President Wasim Ali, Finance Secretary Ehsan, and Hassan bin Salahuddin Ghazi. Present were all current and former office-bearers of the Zargar Association Murree Road, who thanked the visiting delegation for their support.
Rana Abdul Qadoos thanked Agha Qayoom and the accompanying delegation while warning that unjust taxes imposed under the cover of SRO 924 cannot be accepted. He demanded that the FBR negotiate directly with real representatives of the jewellers to resolve outstanding issues without further harassment.
Members of the protest camp and local traders reiterated their commitment to strengthen coordination with the national traders’ body and to continue pressing for a fair resolution. They expressed hope that promised access to government and revenue authorities will lead to swift action on sales tax and POS declaration matters affecting Murree Road jewelers.
