Economic halt as nation strikes
Pakistan's business and industrial community observed a nationwide strike on Saturday, protesting Sections 37A, 37B, and 37AA of the Income Tax Ordinance, which grant the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) powers to arrest defaulting taxpayers. The shutter-down strike, led by major trade bodies and industrial associations, saw thousands of markets, factories, and commercial units closed across the country in what business leaders called a unified stand against "draconian and anti-business" laws.
The protest was led by major trade bodies, including the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA), and various industrial town associations. It was held in strong opposition to the controversial new tax laws 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," KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said in a statement issued on Saturday.
Bilwani 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 created an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and hostility among taxpayers.
The business community's key demands, which remain unresolved, include the immediate suspension of Sections 37A and 37B of the Income Tax Ordinance, which grant unchecked powers to arrest and prosecute taxpayers without due process; the withdrawal of Section 21(s), which imposes penalties on transactions made through cash, mode of payment still widely used in Pakistan's business landscape, and the restoration of the Final Tax Regime for exporters.
He said these demands were conveyed in detail to the special committee formed by the federal finance minister and headed by the 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 frustration and compelled businesses to demonstrate their discontent through a peaceful and united shutdown.
"The business community observed a peaceful strike to show their protest against absurd laws and express solidarity; however, the closure of business and economic activities is not in the national interest," said Sheikh Mohammed Tehseen, President of the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI).
He added that the government should repeal these oppressive laws and offer confidence and protection to businessmen and investors.
President of SITE Super Highway, Masood Pervaiz, said that the business community is open to consultations with the government to enhance tax revenue and curb tax evasion without any harassment or stringent attitudes.
He suggested that the government work actively with the business community towards digitisation in the economic and governance systems to achieve multiple national objectives.
He also urged the government to promote ease of doing business and reduce production costs for businesses and trade in the country.
President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mian Abuzar Shad, said that July 19, 2025, will go down in history as a defining day of awareness, unity, and struggle by Pakistan's business community. "Lahore has proven today that it is not just a city – it is a sentiment, a force," he said, demanding urgent revisions and clarifications on Section 37AA, implementation of the e-invoicing and e-Bilty systems, the 16% sales tax on property rent, and the 20% tax on transactions above Rs200,000.
The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) also joined hands with chambers and trade bodies across the country in a complete industrial shutdown to protest the controversial arrest powers granted to the FBR.
Zonal Chairman of PHMA, Abdul Hameed, along with former chairmen Shafiq Butt and Naseer Butt, announced the closure of hosiery units as part of the countrywide strike, warning that such legislation would only deepen the crisis facing Pakistan's export-oriented sectors. The PHMA leadership said the business community could no longer remain silent while draconian laws continued to erode the confidence of investors and exporters. They said PHMA's participation in the strike was not symbolic but a complete operational shutdown in protest against what they termed economic strangulation by the government's policies.
Abdul Hameed expressed grave concern over Section 37AA, which gives FBR officers the authority to arrest businesspersons without due process or prior investigation, merely on suspicion of tax evasion. He said this law is a clear violation of constitutional rights and a serious blow to the already fragile industrial environment of Pakistan.