KARACHI – Pakistan’s business community is gearing up for a countrywide shutdown on July 19 as traders and goods transporters come together in protest against what they call “anti-business” provisions in the government’s Finance Act 2025.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, announced the planned strike, flanked by senior chamber officials and leaders of transport alliances from across Pakistan.
Bilwani warned that if the federal government does not withdraw the controversial measures, the strike will bring economic activity to a complete standstill.
“Unless the government suspends these harsh provisions, the nationwide strike scheduled for July 19 will proceed with full force, paralysing business operations and halting goods transport across the country,” he said.
The KCCI president revealed that more than 50 trade associations from different sectors have formally endorsed the strike call, raising the possibility of one of Pakistan’s largest business shutdowns in recent years.
The chamber outlined five key demands in its statement, which include:
- Withdrawal of the new sections empowering the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to arrest traders
- Removal of penalties on cash transactions above Rs200,000
- Withdrawal of mandatory digital invoicing requirements
- Removal of the new e-bilty system for goods transporters
- Restoration of the Final Tax Regime for exporters
Bilwani said transporters’ organisations have pledged “unwavering solidarity” with traders and committed to a complete wheel-jam strike that will halt truck movement nationwide.
“No vehicle will move on July 19 in absolute unity with the business community,” he asserted.
Although the Finance Ministry has reached out to the chamber informally, Bilwani maintained that there has been no official commitment to suspend the controversial provisions. He emphasised that the business community will only engage in further talks if the government first agrees to put these measures on hold.
Speaking at the same event, Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala stressed that traders did not favour strikes but were left with no other choice.
“The business community does not support frequent strikes, but the prevailing conditions have forced us to take this extreme step,” he said.
Leaders from the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance and other transporter bodies echoed the chamber’s stance, pledging “full and unconditional support” for the strike regardless of its consequences for daily life and supply chains.
This rare display of unity between traders and transporters has sparked concerns over severe disruptions to trade flows, retail supplies, and manufacturing inputs if the deadlock between the government and business community continues.
