Sheikh Asif Idris, president of the Central Sarafa Union Rawalpindi Islamabad, welcomed the government’s fixed tax scheme but urged that jewellers be explicitly included to shield the sector from further decline. He warned that the combined impact of a weakening rupee and rising gold prices has left many jewellers struggling and has increased unemployment among skilled artisans.
Speaking at a union meeting, Sheikh Asif Idris praised the efforts of Ajmal Baloch and Malik Shahid Ghafoor Pracha for raising the trade’s concerns in official forums. He said the jewellers union has been consistent in presenting practical proposals and now expects agreed measures to be incorporated into the national budget.
Delegates reminded attendees that several proposals were negotiated in meetings with State Minister Bilal Izhar Kiani and must be adopted by the finance committee. The union argued that these measures are essential to stabilise earnings, protect craftsmen, and prevent further job losses in the jewellery sector.
Union leaders strongly condemned recent heavy-handed raids and reported mistreatment of traders, including an incident in Karachi where a trader was reportedly abused in front of his children. The jewellers union voiced full solidarity with affected families and called for respectful, lawful enforcement operations that do not endanger livelihoods.
At the meeting, local representatives including presidents from New Sarafa Bazaar, Cantt and other trade bodies described the acute pressures on small traders. The union stressed that small traders are vital contributors to revenue and employment, and that supportive long-term policies are needed to sustain their role in national economic recovery.
Sheikh Asif Idris reiterated that the role of trade associations goes beyond protests; they must be part of policy-making. He affirmed acceptance of the budget proposals put forward by Ajmal Baloch and urged the government and the finance committee led by Bilal Izhar Kiani to include those proposals in the upcoming budget to provide immediate relief to jewellers and related small traders.
