Latest news with #KarachiChamberof
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Trade-industry unity makes strike successful
KARACHI: A rare and powerful show of unity between industrialists and traders brought Karachi and other parts of the country resulted in a standstill on Saturday, as businesses observed a shutter-down strike against the government's controversial tax policies introduced under the Finance Act 2025–26. The strike, led by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), drew massive support from major industrial town associations, transporters, and a broad spectrum of trade bodies. It signalled growing frustration with what the business community described as 'harsh, impractical, and anti-business' fiscal measures. In Karachi, the country's economic hub, industrial zones, wholesale markets, commercial districts, and even goods transport services came to a grinding halt. Seven key industrial zones—SITE, Korangi, Landhi, North Karachi, Bin Qasim, SITE Super Highway, and Federal B Area—fully observed the strike. The megacity's commercial lifelines, particularly in District South, remained deserted. Historic markets in the Old City Area such as Kapra Market, Motandas, Kagzi Bazar, Boulton Market, and Jodia Bazar were fully shut. Auto parts hubs, including Garden Market, Plaza Auto Market (MA Jinnah Road), Aurangzeb Market, and Iqbal Centre followed suit. Gold and jewellery traders at Liaquatabad's Sarafa Market also downed shutters, as did timber merchants and paper dealers. In an unusual disruption, Karachi's Sabzi Mandi witnessed near-total inactivity. 'Trucks carrying fruits and vegetables did not arrive today,' said Atta Ur Rehman, a fruits and vegetables retailer. 'This strike has brought the Mandi to a halt—a historic move in recent years.' Goods transporters too halted operations across the city. Malik Shabbar Khan, Patron-in-Chief of the United Goods Transport Alliance, said both his group and the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance suspended bookings nationwide. 'Our trucks have been parked for five days. If the government fails to act, we may consider regular weekly strikes,' he warned. Speaking on the day of the strike, KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said the unprecedented shutdown sent a clear message to the government about the depth of discontent in the business community. 'This was not an act of rebellion, but a necessary step after repeated government failures to address our legitimate concerns,' Bilwani stated. He expressed gratitude to all associations and traders who supported the call and praised the unity of Karachi's seven industrial zones. While the strike received sweeping support in Karachi and other cities, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) decided to postpone its protest following last-minute talks with the government. This led to a partial division among national trade bodies. Despite this, Mehmood Hamid, President of the All Pakistan Organization of Small Traders and Cottage Industry (Karachi Chapter), claimed the strike was an unqualified success. 'The strike spoke louder than words,' he said. 'Markets and industries across Karachi remained shut.' Hamid accused the FPCCI of attempting to divide the movement and neutralize the traders' protest. 'Even so, the momentum remained unbroken. The southern district of Karachi, including all major wholesale and commercial zones, observed a complete closure.' He confirmed that overnight talks between traders and the government failed, triggering the mass-scale shutdown. 'The industry cannot absorb tax measures of this magnitude anymore,' Mehmood Hamid said. 'The government has expanded the FBR's powers to a level where economic activity is now under threat.' He emphasized the need to repeal not only Sections 37A and 37B. 'If the government provides even a 40 percent relaxation and makes sincere efforts to reform the Finance Bill, we will respond constructively,' he added. Support for the strike extended to Hyderabad, where markets in Saddar Bazaar, Resham Bazaar, Anaj Mandi, and Market Tower remained closed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Successful' strike conveyed a strong message: KCCI chief
KARACHI: President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, while expressing deep gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the entire business community for their unwavering support and solidarity in making Saturday's nationwide shutter-down strike a success, stated that the strike, jointly called by KCCI and leading Chambers, as well as, other national trade and industry associations, was held in protest against the harsh, impractical, and anti-business taxation measures introduced through the Finance Act 2025–26. The complete shutdown of markets, industries, and commercial activities reflected a powerful message of economic unity and collective resistance by Pakistan's business community, he said in a statement issued here on Saturday. He emphasised that the strike was not an act of defiance, but a last resort adopted in response to the government's failure to address widespread concerns raised by the business community. Despite several representations and appeals, key anti-business provisions were included in the Finance Act 2025–26 that have generated an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and hostility among taxpayers. The business community's key demands, which remain unresolved, include the immediate suspension of Section 37A and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance, which grant unchecked powers to arrest and prosecute taxpayers without due process; withdrawal of Section 21(s), which imposes unjust penalties on transactions made through cash, a mode of payment still widely used in Pakistan's business Bilwani said that these demands were conveyed in detail to the special committee formed by the Federal Finance Minister and headed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance, Haroon Akhtar Khan. The business community expected meaningful outcomes based on the recommendations, and rationale submitted to this committee. However, only verbal assurances were given, which further intensified the frustration and compelled businesses to demonstrate their discontent through a peaceful and united shutdown. He extended particular thanks to the seven industrial town associations of Karachi: SITE Association, Korangi Association, Landhi Association, North Karachi Association, Bin Qasim Association, SITE Super Highway Association, and Federal B Area Association for their resolute and unified response. He also acknowledged the contributions of various sectoral organisations and trade groups including the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA), Pakistan Knitwear & Sweater Exporters Association, Karachi Electronic Dealers Association, Sabzi Mandi Association, Local Goods Transporters Association, Kabari Market Association, and Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association. Furthermore, he expressed appreciation to fellow Chambers of Commerce & Industry from different parts of Pakistan whose active participation reinforced the voice of unity and economic justice. Bilwani made it clear that the July 19 strike was only the first step. He stated that the Karachi Chamber will closely monitor the progress of the Committee led by SAPM Haroon Akhtar during the coming week, particularly with regard to the incorporation of the recommendations provided by KCCI and allied trade bodies. The Chamber expects concrete commitments and actionable reforms in the shortest possible time, as any further delays will be seen as a continuation of disregard for the business community's legitimate grievances. 'If we do not see any meaningful progress or written assurances by the end of next week, we will hold urgent consultations with Members, sectoral stakeholders, and Chambers of Commerce across the country to determine the next course of action.' He said we want dialogue, not confrontation. But if our concerns continue to be ignored, we will not hesitate to intensify our course of action. We remain committed to protecting Pakistan's economy, but that cannot happen unless the business community is heard, respected, and supported. However, President Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI) Sheikh Mohammed Tehseen said that closure of the industrial and trading units countrywide reflects the unity of the business community against absurd laws for giving undue powers to the tax authority. The business community observed a peaceful strike to show their protest and express solidarity; however, the closure of business and economic activities is not in the favour of national interest President SITE Super Highway Masood Pervaiz said that the businessmen community is open for holding consultation with the government for enhancing tax revenue and curbing tax evasion without any element of harassment and stringent attitude. He suggested that the government should work aggressively with the business community towards adoption of digitization in the economic and governance system to achieve multiple objectives at a national level. Also, the government should promote ease of doing business and reduce production costs for business and trade in the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Transporters too support July 19 strike call
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, 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. Bilwani emphasised 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 said that the leaders of the transporters 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. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
World's fourth worst passport a matter of 'pride'? For Pakistan, it apparently is
The 2025 Henley Passport Index has ranked Pakistan's passport the fourth worst in the world for the fourth year straight. The country's travel document is only than those of Iraq (101), Syria (102) and Afghanistan (103) read more Pakistan's passport ranked the fourth worst in the world last month, but that does not seem to be an embarrassment for the country's leadership. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that Pakistan's green passport is a matter of 'pride', despite it being one of the worst in the world. 'We are proud of our green passport, and in the future, it will be a source of even greater pride,' Naqvi said, adding that the government is taking steps to improve its global rankings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He made the comments while talking to representatives of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), where he said that Pakistan will express concerns over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rejecting thousands of visa applications by Pakistani nationals. Pak passport 4th worst in world The 2025 Henley Passport Index has ranked Pakistan's passport the fourth worst in the world for the fourth year straight. The country's travel document is only than those of Iraq (101), Syria (102) and Afghanistan (103). Pakistan and Yemen's passports allow visa-free access to 33 countries, Iraq's to 31, Syria's to 28, and Afghanistan's passport provides access to just 26 destinations. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, which holds the world's largest travel database, and is further supported by ongoing research from the Henley & Partners Research Department.
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Naqvi assures UAE visa issues will be resolved soon
Listen to article Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has acknowledged that Pakistanis are facing difficulties in obtaining visas for the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman, but assured that the issues would be resolved soon. 'UAE visa rejection has become a significant issue. I am meeting with the interior minister of the UAE on July 9, and I am hopeful that we will find a solution to this,' said Naqvi while addressing a gathering at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. He also highlighted the government's efforts to improve the global ranking of the green passport and expressed optimism that the country's passport ranking would soon see a significant rise. "We are proud of our green passport, and in the future, it will be a source of even greater pride," he stated. Naqvi stressed the importance of Karachi's well-being for the country's overall progress, declaring, 'If Karachi is healthy, Pakistan will be healthy.' He vowed that the federal government would do everything possible to address the city's growing challenges, especially crime and smuggling. He also revealed that discussions are underway with NADRA to integrate criminal records into citizens' national ID cards. 'The Safe City project in Karachi is expected to significantly reduce crime rates, following the success of similar initiatives,' he added. The minister addressed the issue of smuggling, acknowledging that while it has not been completely eradicated, Pakistan had only six coast guard boats to patrol its 1,002-kilometre coastline. However, two additional boats have been added, and further strengthening of the coast guard is planned. He also admitted that the government had not done sufficient planning for water supply in major cities but expressed hope for positive progress in the future. Naqvi emphasized that peaceful labour strikes are a fundamental right, but the government's primary goal is to boost the national economy, which is currently a top priority. Naqvi further appreciated that the initial ten days of Muharram passed peacefully across the country, thanks to the crucial role played by all provinces. 'The government maintained close coordination with provincial authorities, minimising mobile network disruptions and providing relief to citizens,' he said. In conclusion, he assured that the government would crack down on the black-market trading of dollars, aiming to stabilise the currency and improve the economy.
