ISLAMABAD - Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders on Sunday expressed serious concern on heavy taxation on local dairy industry and imported milk which has resulted in hike in the price of packaged milk twice in short span.It asked the government to review taxes and take note of the situation as it will hit health of masses, especially babies half of whom are already underfed.

Talking to Tabassum Anwar, Chairperson of IWCCI Standing Committee on Trade and Industry, he said that prices of sugar have also been increased which is unjustified. He said that government has imposed 20 percent Customs duty and 25 percent regulatory duty on import of milk powder to please landed elite keeping in view the upcoming elections.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that decision is unacceptable as masses should not pay the cost of ambitions of the political elite.

He said that EU has given trade relaxations to Pakistan while our policy makers have returned the favour by imposing additional taxes on their exports which may compel them to change mind which will damage dwindling exports.

Additional taxes has also pushed the local dairy sector into crisis which has increased cost of doing business. He noted that the revenue measures will result in around thirty percent fall in the demand of milk hitting masses and people linked to the business.