Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani on Wednesday rejected reports of any postponement of a nationwide strike scheduled for July 19 (Friday), maintaining it will proceed as planned.
Trade bodies and chambers of commerce nationwide have announced a strike on July 19, warning it can extend further, over demands seeking the withdrawal of arrest powers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other policies introduced in the Finance Act, 2025.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met representatives of traders and announced the formation of a high-level committee to consult with stakeholders on the budgetary measures. The committee aims to complete its consultation process within 30 days to evolve a consensus-based proposal for submission to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet.
In his statement, Bilwani derided the meeting with Aurangzeb as unproductive, lamenting the key demands of traders were not addressed. He noted that the KCCI wanted the immediate withdrawal of the FBR’s new arrest powers; withdrawal of penalties on cash transactions of Rs. 200,000 or more; abolition of an e-Bilty system requirement for goods transport; reversal of a digital invoicing system; and restoration of the Final Tax Regime for exporters.
Lashing out at those claiming the strike would not proceed, he said such elements have no affiliation with the movement and are not part of the consultative process. He maintained the strike was the result of extensive discussions with presidents and representatives of leading chambers of commerce and industry from all four provinces. He also said the strike could only be deferred through mutual consensus, adding such a development would be announced in a press conference.
“No decision will be made unilaterally or behind closed doors,” he said.
Claiming the people spreading rumors of no strike were enemies of the business community, he asserted that all preparations for the strike were complete. He urged industrialists, wholesalers, shopkeepers, and traders to support the strike for the sake of the economy.