By The All Pakistan Traders Alliance (APTA) staged a protest demonstration on Monday, demanding the government abolish taxes on electricity bills. The demonstrators argued that the poor were being unfairly taxed to support the privileges of those in power.
Led by Malik Meher Ilahi, the president of APTA’s provincial chapter, the rally began at Rampura Gate and concluded at Chowk Yadgar. Various trade unions, including the Sarhad Traders Alliance, Pakistan Peoples Traders, Pakistan Chemist and Druggist Association, Car Dealers Association, Peshawar Traders Cant, City Wedding Halls Association, Pakistan Hindkwan Association, Peshori Karwan Foundation, Jamiat Business Forum District Peshawar, property dealers’ association, and civil society members participated in the protest.
Speakers at the rally criticized the recently approved budget, calling it anti-public. They recalled politicians’ promises during election campaigns to provide up to 300 units of free electricity. However, once in power, these promises were forgotten, and new taxes were imposed. The protesters highlighted the dire situation, stating that people were selling their valuables to pay for electricity bills, discouraging investment in businesses.
They also pointed out that Independent Power Producers (IPP) were being paid in foreign currency, despite the country’s overall need being 20,000 megawatts while IPPs were being paid for 48,000 megawatts.
In a bold move, the All Pakistan Traders Alliance (APTA) took to the streets on Monday, demanding an end to taxes on electricity bills. The protesters argued that these taxes burden the poor to subsidize the lifestyles of the privileged.
The protest, led by Malik Meher Ilahi, president of APTA’s provincial chapter, started at Rampura Gate and ended at Chowk Yadgar. The rally saw participation from numerous trade unions and associations, including the Sarhad Traders Alliance, Pakistan Peoples Traders, Pakistan Chemist and Druggist Association, Car Dealers Association, Peshawar Traders Cant, City Wedding Halls Association, Pakistan Hindkwan Association, Peshori Karwan Foundation, Jamiat Business Forum District Peshawar, property dealers’ association, and civil society members.
Speakers at the rally condemned the recently approved budget, labeling it as anti-public. They reminded the audience of politicians’ promises during their election campaigns to provide up to 300 units of free electricity. However, after assuming power, these promises were neglected, and new taxes were imposed instead.
The protesters painted a grim picture, revealing that people were resorting to selling their valuables to pay electricity bills. This situation, they argued, was detrimental to business investment. They also criticized the payment practices for Independent Power Producers (IPP), noting that IPPs were compensated in foreign currency. They highlighted a significant discrepancy: the country’s actual electricity need was 20,000 megawatts, yet IPPs were being paid for 48,000 megawatts.
This demonstration by APTA underscores the growing discontent among traders and the general public regarding the government’s handling of electricity taxes. The call for abolishing these taxes reflects a broader demand for more equitable economic policies that do not disproportionately impact the poor.
