Islamabad, July 12 (IANS) The Pakistani business community has announced a countrywide shutter down strike on Saturday against hike in sales tax.

Efforts to prevent the strike received a jolt on Thursday after efforts by Prime Minister Imran Khan's to bring the traders to some sort of a truce failed.

The strike call has been given by the All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT) saying that imposition of 7 per cent sales tax, turn over tax and CNIC-based invoicing system in the budget had made business difficult.

APAT chief Ajmal Baloch accused the government of imposing the taxes on the instructions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He added that people were also facing inflation
and therefore the government should forthwith announce amendments in the budget.

APAT has warned the government to continue the strike for an indefinite period if the said taxes and conditions are not withdrawn by July 13.

--IANS hindi/rtp