The business community in Karachi observed a partial strike on Saturday against fiscal measures and arrest powers of the Federal Fiscal Authority under the FY26 Finance Law.
The call for a strike throughout the country was broadcast last week by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), backed by commercial organizations, industrial area associations, oil merchants, transporters and chain store operators. The KCCI protested against what they described as measures against the business and proposed provincial labor policies.
“A partial strike was observed in Karachi on the call of the industrialists and with the support of market merchants against the improvement of FBR powers to carry out entrepreneurs and arrests,” said all the president of Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Atiq Mir, Dawn.com.
All Karachi Tajir Ittehad is an association of markets and merchants in the metropolis.
Mir said the markets of Gul Plaza, Teen Talwar in Clifton and the nursery remained open. However, most merchants have supported the strike, although some of the merchants have reservations about the nature of the demands, he said.
“The demands of small merchants were not included, particularly with respect to the raids in the stores and the closure of stores with the pretext of being in poor condition,” he added.
A market leader in the areas of the ancient city, said Sharjeel Goplani. Dawn.com“A partial strike such as the Lea market, the Bazar Urdu and the wood and furniture markets remained open were observed.”
Extended execution powers for the FBR include the authority to block high -value financial transactions by non -filtering, such as the purchase of vehicles and properties, investment in values and mutual funds, and open certain prestigious bank accounts, together with powers to seal unregistered commercial premises, confiscate goods and recover taxes from companies, including people in the public sector. The movement has generated criticism from many sectors.
The Chamber of Commerce and Lahore industry had also announced its participation in the strike, condemning the improved powers granted to FBR officials and the lack of consultation with the private sector.
A day before, the business community appeared divided over the strike with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan and the senior vice president of the industry, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, stating that the cameras and commercial associations had agreed to defer the strike after a meeting with special assistant of the Prime Minister in Industrias Haroon Akhtar Khan.
