ISLAMABAD: Traders across Pakistan have warned of a nationwide shutdown on January 16 if the government does not cancel its plan to make POS machines compulsory. They claim this move will increase the burden on small businesses and lead to more harassment by tax officials, according to Dawn. The warning came during a protest in Islamabad, where traders tried to march from Aabpara Chowk toward the Red Zone. Police stopped them near Serena Hotel, so they held a sit-in there. The protest was organized by the All Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajran and the Traders Action Committee. Shopkeepers from Islamabad and Rawalpindi joined. Leaders accused the government of targeting small traders instead of tackling big corruption. Ajmal Baloch, president of Islamabad Traders Action Committee, called the POS machine rule a "black law" meant to scare traders. He said, "Under the guise of documentation, traders would be exposed to greater harassment and bribery demands by tax officials." Baloch cited an IMF report saying corruption in Pakistan costs nearly PKR 53 trillion yearly, with a big part coming from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He accused FBR of ignoring major corruption and targeting small shops. He also claimed many FBR officials have illegal wealth, luxury lifestyles, and foreign-educated families. Protesters also raised concerns about customs, saying legally imported goods were seized, partly returned, and partly lost. Traders warned that if the government forces POS installations or seals shops, they will block a main road in Islamabad and hold a sit-in at Zero Point on January 16. They threatened a countrywide strike if demands are ignored. They urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stop what they called unfair actions by tax authorities, as reported by Dawn.