KARACHI : President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, while strongly reaffirming the business community’s uncompromising stance against the five key anti-business measures and 32 anomalies introduced in the Finance Act 2025, urged the federal government to immediately suspend these provisions and issue a formal notification to that effect.
Addressing a press conference at the KCCI on Monday, flanked by representatives from goods transporters associations and alliances from across Pakistan who were led by Chairman Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance Malik Shahzad Awan, Jawed Bilwani made it clear that unless the government puts all these measures in abeyance, the nationwide strike scheduled for July 19 will take place with full force, bringing economic activity across the country to a grinding halt.
Senior Vice President KCCI Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, Former President Muhammad Idrees, Patron-in-Chief United Goods Transport Alliance Malik Shabbar Khan, Senior Vice Chairman of Sindh Goods Truck Trawlers Owners Association Hameed Baloch and General Secretary Azam Butt, General Secretary Karachi Goods Carrier Association Nadeem Arain, Malik Sher Khan (Karachi Goods Carrier Association), Imdad Naqvi (Car Carrier Association), Muratza (Fleet Operators of Pakistan), Haji Ramzan (Local Goods Transporters Association) and others.
President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Muhammad Jawed Bilwani addressing a press conference at KCCI on Monday along with representatives of goods transporters associations and alliances who expressed full support to KCCI Strike Call. Senior Vice President KCCI Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil and others are also seen in the picture.
President KCCI Jawed Bilwani emphasized that only upon suspension of controversial provisions will the business community engage in any dialogue with lawmakers. He reiterated KCCI’s demand for the immediate withdrawal of Sections 37A and 37B of the Finance Act, which empower FBR officials with arbitrary arrest powers; Section 21(S), which imposes harsh penalties on cash transactions of Rs. 200,000 or more; mandatory digital invoicing under SRO 709; and the imposition of E-Bilty under Section 40(C). He also called for the restoration of the Final Tax Regime for exporters.
Jawed Bilwani proclaimed that the leaderships of the transporter’s associations have expressed unwavering solidarity with KCCI and confirmed their active participation in the upcoming strike. The transporter alliances declared their full and unconditional support, committing to remain fully aligned with KCCI’s demands and to stand united until these are met, regardless of the consequences. They announced a complete wheel-jam strike, declaring that no vehicle will move on July 19, in absolute unity with the business community.
President KCCI revealed that KCCI is being approached by the Ministry of Finance, and while efforts are being made to resolve the issues through dialogue, there has been no official assurance or notification to suspend the measures. He stated that KCCI has requested the government to hold these matters in abeyance until a mutually beneficial and constructive solution is found. He clarified that the strike will not be postponed unless and until these demands are fully accepted.
Responding to a media query about unity among the chambers across Pakistan, Bilwani confirmed that the entire business community is fully united. He acknowledged that while one meeting was attended by only a few associations, in reality, KCCI continues to receive overwhelming support from across the country. Protests are underway in numerous cities, and more than 50 formal letters of support have been received by KCCI from various business and industrial associations, reaffirming their solidarity with KCCI’s stance.
In response to questions regarding the performance of the government and the Finance Minister, Bilwani stated that the authorities must now reflect on whether the current leadership of the Finance Ministry is delivering results. He emphasized that there is growing public dissatisfaction with the minister’s performance, and it is high time for the government to assess whether the current approach is helping or harming Pakistan’s economy. He criticized the FBR’s Enforcement Department for its inefficiency and pointed out that despite repeated written requests, KCCI has never received any details about how many new taxpayers were actually brought into the tax net through enforcement efforts.
Echoing the gravity of the situation, Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala emphasized that while the business community does not favor frequent strikes, the prevailing conditions have left no other option. He stated that the KCCI’s primary mandate is to find workable solutions to high-priority issues affecting the economy, but due to the government’s failure to respond appropriately, the strike scheduled for July 19 is inevitable. He underscored the seriousness of the business community’s concerns and its unwavering resolve to defend its rights.
Transporters’ leaders, present at the press conference, unequivocally assured that they are in complete agreement with KCCI’s objectives and will collaborate closely to ensure the success of the strike. They declared that there will be no movement of trucks or vehicles nationwide on the day of the strike, pledging full commitment without any conditions.
The meeting concluded with a unified and powerful call to action. With full determination and complete unity between the business and transport sectors, the stage is set for what is being seen as a historic nationwide strike on July 19, 2025. The resolute commitment displayed by all stakeholders will undoubtedly define the future course of business and economic stability in Pakistan.
