Traders’ community plays a key role in stability of economy: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that traders’ community plays a key role in stability of economy and has also taken an active part in relief activities in case of any calamity faced by the country. He said that traders and businessmen are playing an important role in national progress and development.

He said that solution of the problems of traders is the responsibility of the government and all out measures will be taken for this purpose. He said that reservations of businessmen and traders with regard to withholding tax will be addressed through negotiations and mutual understanding and a meeting of leaders of traders will be arranged with Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for resolving this issue in a positive manner.

He was talking representative delegations of traders’ community which met him separately here today. The delegations were led by President All Pakistan Anjuman e Tajran, Khalid Pervaiz, Patron-in-Chief Pakistan Muslim League-N Traders’ Wing Anjum Butt and Chairman Anjuman e Tajran Khawaja Shafiq, President Ajmal Baloch and General Secretary Naeem Mir. The problems being faced by traders’ community, their role in strengthening of economy and the tax imposed on bank transactions were discussed. It was agreed to resolve the issue of withholding tax through negotiations and mutual understanding and it was decided that representative delegations of traders will soon hold negotiations with the authorities of Federal Ministry of Finance for resolving this issue amicably.

The Chief Minister said that there is a need for collective efforts for the progress and development of the country and striving for its prosperity. He said that it is his desire that the genuine grievances of the traders’ community are redressed. He said that traders and businessmen are the backbone of national economy and Pakistan Muslim League-N government will continue to resolve all their problems on priority basis. He said that a solution to the issue of the tax imposed on bank transactions will be found through negotiations and he fully supports traders in the resolution of their genuine issues.

Shahbaz Sharif said that every citizen has to play his due role for the progress and prosperity of the country and all out efforts will be made for redressing the genuine grievances of traders. He said that Punjab government is implementing the policy of public welfare and balanced development of rural and urban areas and funds of billions of rupees are being provided for this purpose. He said that Punjab government is spending every penny of public money honestly.

The delegation of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran thanked Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for taking personal interest in resolving the issue of withholding tax. He said that Shehbaz Sharif has won their hearts by listening to their problems sympathetically. They also expressed confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and assured him their full support.

Members National Assembly Pervaiz Malik and Waaheed Alam Khan were also present on the occasion.

The delegation included General Secretary All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran Abdul Razzaq Babbar, President Lahore Mujahid Maqsood Butt, Saeed Mughal, Ijaz Butt, Shahid Maqsood Butt, Ayub Butt and others.

The leaders of Anjuam-e-Tajran Naeem Mir Group while expressing confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that he fully understands the problems of traders’ community and they are confident that he will play his due role for their solution. They also expressed fully support to the Chief Minister on behalf of business community.

Member National Assembly Pervaiz Malik was also present on the occasion. Those who met the Chief Minister included leaders of Anjuman-e-Tajran Mehboob Sirki, Ashraf Bhatti, Tariq Feroz and others, whereas President PML-N Traders Wing Punjab Muhammad Ali Mian, Political Assistant & President Lahore Nasir Saeed, General Secretary Lahore Shahid Nazir and Vice Chairman Ch. Amir Siddique were also present on the occasion.