Traders announce countrywide strike over tax reforms

Pakistan’s business community has announced a nationwide shutter-down strike on Saturday, July 19, to protest against the government’s latest tax reforms.

The announcement was made late at night by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Traders and business leaders say the new tax policies are anti-business and harmful to the economy.

The new tax measures include a Rs. 200,000 cash transaction limit, arrest powers for the FBR, mandatory digital invoicing and e-billing systems, and other strict financial reforms. Traders believe these policies are making it harder for small and medium businesses to survive and are destabilizing the economy.

All major chambers of commerce across Pakistan, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Quetta, have announced their support for the strike. Many trade and industrial associations have also assured full participation.

The decision was made after a federal minister held talks with KCCI, but the meeting failed to reach any agreement. Soon after, traders finalized their protest strategy.

Traders say that doing business is already very difficult due to the current economic crisis. They are demanding the government review these tax policies immediately. If not, they warn the protests could grow even larger in the coming days.

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