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Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KCCI claims strike call gets ‘historic' support
KARACHI: Chambers' call for nation-wide strike on July 19 has received historic and record-breaking support, said Karachi Chamber President Jawed Bilwani The strike has the full support of all seven industrial zones of Karachi, he added. Site, Korangi, Landhi, North Karachi, Bin Qasim, SITE Super Highway and Federal B Area Associations stand with KCCI, said Javed Bilwani. He said Local Goods Transporters Association, Sabzi Mandi Association, Kabadi Market Association have also announced their support. Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, Karachi Electronic Dealers Association, Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders also have the support, said Karachi Chamber President. Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers, Knitwear and Sweater Exporters, Textile Processing Mills and Readymade Garments Associations, Imtiaz Stores, All Pakistan Restaurant Association will also participate in the strike, said Javed Bilwani. Pakistan Soup Manufacturers, Plastic Importers, Yarn Merchants and Flour Mills Associations will also join the strike, Self-adhesive Tape, Machinery Merchants, Denim Manufacturers, Auto Spare Parts Associations are also with us in the strike, Bearing Manufacturers, Karachi Tyre Dealers, Motorcycle Dealers, Shopkeepers Welfare Society Iqbal Shopping Centre is also supported, said Javed Bilwani. The decision to observe a nationwide strike was taken after thorough consultation with the presidents and representatives of leading Chambers of Commerce and Industry from all four provinces of Pakistan,' he said. He asserted that the strike will be held as per the original schedule and under no circumstances has it been postponed or called off. Business leaders refused to accept the black laws like Section 37A and 37B introduced in the Finance Bill and has clearly sent a message to the government that the industrial community will not tolerate such laws under any circumstances. They said that the above laws, under which FBR officers have been given the power to arrest tax payers on mere suspicion and even file FIRs, are a highly condemnable move. They said that if black laws like Section 37A and 37B are not abolished, industries and business will be locked on July 19. Meanwhile, KCCI President Balwani addressing a press conference after emergency meeting with association and trade bodies announced that all associations of the city decided to go on stroke on Saturday July 19. He warns government that right now we are only going on a one-day strike and if we are not given anything in writing by the next meeting with the government committee, we will extend the strike and we will go on strike for one day, two days and even the entire week. 'We cannot rely on verbal statements of government representatives they must give assure in writing.' Meanwhile, a special committee meeting was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar regarding the protest of traders against the Finance Bill. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Rana Ehsan Afzal, Chairman FBR Rashid Langrial, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Mago, Sohail Altaf, KCCI President Javed Balwani, Lahore, Rawalpindi and officials of various chambers also participated via Zoom. The meeting discussed the concerns of the business community regarding tax legislation. The FPCCI President apprised the committee of the concerns of the business community regarding the enforcement measures taken in the tax bill and the charter of demands from the federation and chambers. The meeting agreed on the proposal to establish a special committee to redress grievances and the committee will include two representatives from the FBR, FPCCI, one representative each from the relevant chamber and the sector. The proposal to abolish Clause 9 of the tax bill was supported by the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Industries Haroon Akhtar, but this support was given by the federation itself and the support of other chamber representatives was not included in it. However, in the meeting, the committee agreed on amendments to the controversial clause in consultation with the business community and it was decided that the special committee would submit the proposals to the Prime Minister for final approval. The President FPCCI expressed gratitude to the government for seriously listening to the concerns of the business community and said that the government has taken the concerns of the business committee seriously and hopes that they will approve the recommendations agreed upon in the meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Vice President FPCCI Saqib Fayyaz Mago claimed that the negotiations between the government and the traders have been successful and the chambers and trade bodies have postponed the strike. Saqib Fayyaz Mago claimed that the Karachi Chamber has informed us about the postponement of the strike. However, on the other hand, after the FPCCI and the chambers held talks with the government, emergency meetings of chambers of commerce across the country began to discuss the situation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
FPCCI, KCCI dispute over strike call for Saturday
Listen to article Talks between the government and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) concluded on a positive note on Friday, leading to the postponement of the nationwide shutter-down strike initially scheduled for Saturday. However, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has maintained its call for a strike, citing unresolved concerns with the Finance Act 2025. A special committee was formed to address the grievances of traders regarding the controversial Finance Act. The committee, chaired by Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Industries, Haroon Akhtar, convened with representatives from various chambers of commerce to discuss the amendments in the act. The negotiations saw progress, with a consensus reached on several amendments. Among the most notable changes was the decision to remove Clause 9 of the act, which had been a key point of contention for traders. A proposal to amend Article 37A was also tabled, with the government agreeing to review it further. Despite these developments, KCCI President Javed Bilwani expressed that while their demands were largely accepted, no written assurance was provided. "We have consulted with everyone. We are prepared to escalate the strike to one or two days a week, or even an entire week," he warned, maintaining the call for a strike in Karachi. Bilwani added that businesses across Karachi would remain closed the following day, as the KCCI continues to stand firm on the issue. He also noted that chambers in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, and other cities were also participating in the strike, citing widespread support from the business community. In contrast, the FPCCI, led by Atif Ikram Sheikh, has reached an agreement with the government to call off the nationwide strike. He thanked the authorities for their serious engagement and expressed hope that the prime minister would approve the proposed amendments. "We appreciate the seriousness shown by the authorities in hearing our concerns," he said, adding, "FPCCI does not seek confrontation; our preference is to resolve issues through dialogue." A four-member committee, including two officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), one from the FPCCI, and one from the affected industry sector, will be formed to handle any remaining issues and ensure a proper grievance redressal mechanism is in place. While FPCCI has agreed to halt the nationwide strike, Sheikh confirmed that isolated protests may still take place in some cities, but the full-scale shutdown has been averted. "The business community across Pakistan stands with us, and the government is committed to addressing our concerns through dialogue," he concluded.
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Trade bodies also back July 19 strike call
KARACHI: After the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and all major chambers of commerce across the country announced support for the July 19 strike, trade and industrial associations have also decided to back the strike and announced the closure of businesses. President of the North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), Faisal Moiz Khan, responding to the strike call by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Javed Bilwani, stated that all industries in North Karachi will halt production on July 19. He said that industrialists in North Karachi will strongly protest on July 19 against Sections 37AA and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance, taxes on bank transactions, the extraordinary powers granted to FBR officials, unjust taxation, and anti-business policies. He described the strike as a one-day symbolic protest. Faisal Moiz Khan further said that in solidarity with the KCCI President, the business and industrial community of Karachi will raise its voice against these laws, which are hostile to traders and industrialists. Meanwhile, President of the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI), Sheikh Mohammad Tahseen, along with the SITE Association of Industry and Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), have also announced support for the July 19 strike against Sections 37AA and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance, unjust taxation on bank transactions, and anti-business policies. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KCCI says businesses will observe strike on 19th
KARACHI: Following the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has also announced a shutdown of businesses on July 19 in protest against Sections 37AA and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance, unjust taxes on bank transactions, and anti-business policies. President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Atif Ikram Sheikh, has fully supported the strike, stating that FPCCI will lead the protest. President of the Karachi Chamber, Javed Bilwani, said that businesses will remain closed on Saturday, July 19, and emphasized that the strike will be a token protest. The business community of Karachi will observe a complete strike against what they describe as anti-trader and anti-industrialist laws — particularly Sections 37AA and 37B introduced by the FBR (Federal Board of Revenue). Following KCCI's announcement, various trade associations and industrial organizations have also expressed their support for the strike. Javed Bilwani declared that the business community will not accept anti-business measures under any circumstances and will stage a strong protest against Sections 37AA and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance. He strongly criticized the extraordinary arrest powers granted to FBR officials, their unjust treatment of traders, and economic decisions made without consultation. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of these measures and warned that if the government does not meet their demands, more strikes will follow. Bilwani further stated that the strike is being supported by the Lahore Chamber, Faisalabad Chamber, Sialkot Chamber, Rawalpindi Chamber, and other regional chambers of commerce. He concluded by saying that the business community is willing to pay taxes with dignity, but under the current FBR powers, doing business is not feasible. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pakistan trade data: Exports miss target for FY25; deficit widens on surging imports
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. Pakistan failed to meet its annual export target for the fiscal year 2024–25, with exports totalling $32.106 billion, falling short of the government's target of $32.341 billion, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). As per the news agency ANI, the shortfall comes despite a modest year-on-year export growth of 4.67 per cent. Imports, meanwhile, surged to $58.38 billion, exceeding the official projection of $57.283 billion. This pushed the annual trade deficit to $26.274 billion, widening beyond the projected $24.941 billion. According to ARY News, the shortfall in exports combined with higher-than-expected import volumes has intensified challenges in managing the country's external account. To support the trade sector, Pakistan's ministry of maritime affairs has slashed charges for export and transhipment containers by 50 per cent, effective July 1, 2025. As per the Pakistan government's notification, this relief applies to Port Qasim, including Marginal Wharf, FOTCO, and PIBT, but excludes empty containers. Wharfage charges at DP World have also been eased to incentivise outbound trade flows, reported ARY News. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Boite A Scoop Undo However, Pakistan's exporters continue to face external headwinds. The Indian government's sweeping ban on goods of Pakistani origin, imposed after the Pahalgam terror attack and effective since May 2, 2025, has further strained freight operations. Indian ports no longer allow the anchoring of vessels carrying Pakistani goods, a move that has significantly raised shipping and insurance costs. 'Mother vessels are not coming to Pakistan due to this Indian action, which delays our imports by 30 to 50 days,' said Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Javed Bilwani, quoted by news agency PTI. Exporters have also noted that the additional burden of feeder vessels has hiked logistics costs. While exporters say the ban has had a limited direct impact on volumes, the overall tightening of trade routes comes amid Pakistan's already fragile supply chains. 'There is no significant impact on exports..., except for a rise in insurance costs,' said Aamir Aziz , a textile exporter, as cited by PTI. Pakistan's reliance on imported raw materials for value-added exports makes disruptions even more consequential. Formal trade ties between India and Pakistan have remained frozen since 2019, with bilateral trade shrinking from $2.41 billion in 2018 to just $1.2 billion in 2024, as per PTI. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
