Quetta Traders Issue Ultimatum Over Tax Notices, Threaten Province-Wide Protest Movement

Quetta, April 29, 2026: The Central Organization of Traders Balochistan has called for the immediate withdrawal of sales tax and trade tax notices issued in Hazara Town and other B-areas of Quetta, urging authorities to introduce relief measures for the business community amid deteriorating economic conditions.
Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, spokesperson Kashif Haideri stated that recent notices issued by the Balochistan Revenue Authority regarding sales tax, along with trade tax notices from the Metropolitan Corporation, have created serious concern and uncertainty among traders.
He was accompanied on the occasion by Supreme Council member Ilyas Ali, Raza Qalandri, Zeeshan Ali, and other trader representatives.
Kashif Haideri said that business activity across Balochistan is already severely impacted, with markets operating under near-lockdown conditions. He noted that while customer turnout remains extremely low, shopkeepers continue to face fixed expenditures such as rent, electricity bills, and other operational costs, placing them under increasing financial strain.
He added that traders are experiencing mounting mental and economic pressure due to ongoing restrictions on commercial activity, and the introduction of additional taxation has further aggravated the situation.
The spokesperson described the issuance of sales tax notices in Hazara Town and other B-areas as a deeply alarming development for the trading community. He pointed out that while the Balochistan Revenue Authority has issued sales tax notices, the Metropolitan Corporation has simultaneously initiated the issuance of trade tax notices, further increasing the burden on businesses.
He further remarked that multiple layers of taxation are already being applied, as taxes are embedded in essential goods and utility bills. According to him, the imposition of further levies on already strained businesses is unjustifiable.
The traders’ leadership demanded an immediate halt and withdrawal of all such notices and issued a seven-day ultimatum to the concerned authorities. They warned that if their demands are not addressed within the stipulated time, traders would be compelled to launch a protest movement, with full responsibility for any resulting consequences resting on the authorities concerned.