Rawalpindi Traders Reject New Sanitation Tax, Threaten Protests

RAWALPINDI: The Traders’ Association Rawalpindi has vehemently rejected the newly imposed ‘Suthra Punjab’ (Clean Punjab) sanitation tax, warning the provincial government of impending protests if the tax is not rescinded. The announcement came during a press conference held at the Rawalpindi Press Club on Tuesday.

President Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha expressed the traders’ frustration, questioning the rationale behind a separate sanitation levy when businesses are already burdened with property taxes, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) bills, and various other charges. He emphasized, “The government should spare traders from additional financial burdens,” advocating for a comprehensive review of existing levies instead of imposing new ones.

The association’s leadership, including General Secretary Raja Tauheed Ahmed, echoed Paracha’s sentiments, labeling the monthly sanitation fees on shops and commercial centers as unacceptable. They highlighted that the business community is already grappling with economic challenges, making the additional tax particularly burdensome.

As tensions rise, the Traders’ Association is mobilizing its members for potential protests, signaling a growing discontent among the business community. The provincial government faces increasing pressure to reconsider the sanitation tax amid calls for a more equitable taxation system that does not disproportionately affect traders.