Rawalpindi Traders Reject New Sanitation Tax

On Tuesday, traders in Rawalpindi rejected a new sanitation tax proposed under the Suthra Punjab (Clean Punjab) program, warning of potential protests if the Punjab government fails to withdraw it. At a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, the president of the Traders’ Association Rawalpindi, Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, questioned the necessity of an additional sanitation levy when traders are already liable for property taxes, Wasa bills, and other fees.

Paracha argued that the government should refrain from imposing further financial burdens on traders. He highlighted that businesses are already grappling with inflation, high utility bills, taxes, and rising operational costs. The proposed monthly charge on shops and commercial establishments would exacerbate these difficulties, especially for small-scale merchants.

The traders demanded the government's withdrawal of the levy and an explanation of the services covered by the new charges, asserting that existing taxes and bills might already encompass municipal and sanitation services. General Secretary of the association, Raja Tauheed Ahmed, urged the government to reassess the levies and ensure transparency before introducing new charges.

Traders affirmed their commitment to a robust sanitation system but refused to accept new fees without assurance about the scope of services covered by existing taxes.