The President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, has announced a nationwide peaceful strike to be observed on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in strong protest against what he termed as “anti-business measures” introduced in the latest Finance Act.

Speaking in a press statement on Thursday, Bilwani said the strike is being organized in collaboration with leading chambers and trade bodies across Pakistan, after extensive consultations with KCCI members and other key stakeholders in the business community.

This is not just a KCCI initiative, Bilwani emphasized. It is a unified national protest, with all major chambers and trade organizations across the country standing shoulder to shoulder in opposition to arbitrary legal and regulatory steps that are severely impacting business confidence.

The KCCI president criticized several controversial provisions in the Finance Act, including:

• A Rs. 200,000 limit on cash transactions,

• Unrestricted powers of arrest under Section 37A,

• Mandatory digital invoicing and e-billing systems,

He said these measures, introduced without proper consultation, are unrealistic and have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), traders, and manufacturers.

These policies are completely disconnected from the realities of doing business in Pakistan, Bilwani stated. Instead of promoting economic activity, they are driving businesses underground and discouraging voluntary compliance.

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He noted that a majority of KCCIs member companies support the strike call, and several major market bodies and trade associations from Karachi and other cities have pledged their full backing.

Bilwani assured that the strike would be peaceful, democratic, and lawful, but warned that it sends a strong message of dissatisfaction within the business sector. He urged the government to immediately review and withdraw the controversial measures and engage in meaningful dialogue with the business community to craft practical and balanced economic reforms.

KCCI is committed to protecting the economic interests of businesses and will continue to fight for a fair and supportive environment, he said, adding that the strike could be prolonged if authorities fail to address the concerns of the business community.