Pharma industry warns to go on indefinite strike from July 19

Rawalpindi : On the call of All Pakistan Pharma Movement, chain pharmacies, medical stores, whole-sellers, distributors and manufacturers, Thursday observed a one-day shutter-down strike throughout the country including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) JK and Gilgit-Baltistan against advance tax on pharma trade and industry on Thursday.

The All Pakistan Pharma Movement has also given 48 hours’ notice to the government for withdrawal of advance tax otherwise they would go on an indefinite shutter-down strike from July 19. Joint Action Committee Chairman Zahid Bakhtawari declared the strike successful and congratulated the pharma sector for showing unity during the strike.

The drug delivery system remained suspended to medical stores at Murree Road, Mall Road, Bohar Bazaar, Saidpur Road, Hospital Road, Commercial Market and other places in Rawalpindi during the strike. The strike was observed after the failure of talks between FBR and pharma trade industry leaders on Wednesday against the imposition of advance tax.

A protest camp was set up at Amin Plaza, The Mall under the auspices of All Pakistan Pharma Movement. At the camp, Imran Rasheed, Mohammad Zakaria Qureshi, Sheikh Wamiq addressed a press conference.

On the occasion, Zahid Bakhtawari said that in the history of the country, it was the most successful shutter-down strike and pharma traders and industry completely rejected the imposition of advance tax. “We tried our best not to go on strike but due to the government’s approach today chemist wholesalers, distributors and manufacturing units had to close their business for one day against the FBR attitude. Withdrawal of tax at source, registration of medical stores from NTN number, filing of all other practical suggestions were given to the government. We tried our best to resolve this issue through negotiations and provide medicines to the patients even during strike,” he added.

Zahid Bakhtawari said that the fourth wave of corona has set in. “The situation in the pharma trade industry is already very bad. The pharma industry believes in resolving its issues through negotiations and we give the government 48 hours to resolve our issues through negotiations. Today’s strike is successful and the alliance of the pharma sector is appreciated for showing unity. The government should resolve the issues of pharma traders, otherwise there is no choice but to go on a full shutter-down strike for an indefinite period from July 19,” he warned.

Arshad Awan said that the impact of corona on the industry has badly affected the margins of traders, retailers and chemists and medicine costs are increasing. On this occasion, the Joint Action Committee has announced that there will be a full and indefinite shutter-down on July 19 across the country. In this regard, the leadership of pharma trade Industry is fully united and shutter down will remain till advance tax is revoked.