KARACHI: In a bid to avert the countrywide wheel-jam strike scheduled for July 19, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has invited representatives of all trade bodies for urgent talks over the contentious measures introduced in the federal budget.
Speaking at an event organised by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) in Karachi on Monday, Aurangzeb extended an open invitation to all chambers of commerce and trade associations to meet on Tuesday (today) to discuss their reservations regarding the Finance Act.
His offer came hours after Goods Carrier Association Chairman Malik Shahzad Awan and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Javed Bilwani jointly announced the strike, warning that it could continue indefinitely if their demands were not addressed.
“All transporters will fully participate in the strike called by KCCI on July 19,” Awan told reporters at a press conference alongside Bilwani. “We are ready to extend the strike for as long as needed until our demands are met.”
The KCCI’s decision comes in protest against five major budgetary measures and 32 anomalies identified in the Finance Act. Bilwani made it clear that unless the government suspended these provisions, the strike would go ahead as planned.
Key among the chamber’s objections are Sections 37A and 37B of the Finance Act, which KCCI claims grant arbitrary arrest powers to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The chamber also opposes Section 21(S), which imposes strict penalties on cash transactions exceeding Rs200,000, mandatory digital invoicing under SRO 709, and the introduction of e-Bilty under Section 40(C).
At the OICCI event, Aurangzeb defended the controversial provisions, saying they were essential tools to tackle large-scale sales tax fraud. “These enhanced powers apply only in cases of tax evasion over Rs50 million and are not meant to target ordinary businesses,” he explained, dismissing criticism as “propaganda.”
He added that the government had included sufficient safeguards in the law to protect genuine businesses. “All chambers should come prepared after reviewing the legal provisions. We will listen to their concerns and clarify the purpose behind these measures,” he said, reiterating that the new legal tools were designed to curb fraudulent sales tax activities.
Earlier, KCCI President Bilwani demanded the immediate withdrawal of these sections, terming them “controversial and unacceptable.” He also called for the restoration of the Final Tax Regime for exporters, which was abolished in the recent budget.
Bilwani revealed that while the Finance Ministry had reached out to the KCCI informally and dialogue channels were open, there had been no official notification to suspend the measures so far. “We have urged the government to hold these matters in abeyance until a mutually acceptable solution is reached,” he said, warning that the strike would go ahead if their demands were not fully accepted.
In response to a question, Bilwani emphasised that the entire business community stood united with KCCI. “We are receiving overwhelming support from across Pakistan. More than 50 business associations have formally expressed their solidarity with us,” he added.
