Islamabad, July 18, 2025 – The federal government has flatly refused to yield to mounting pressure from the business community, which has announced a full-blown strike on July 19 to protest against what they call oppressive tax laws imposed through the Finance Act, 2025.
Sources confirm that a high-level committee led by Haroon Akhtar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, held tense negotiations with top business leaders on Friday. Despite urgent pleas, the government delegation refused to offer any written assurance regarding the reversal or suspension of the tax measures. Officials assert that these new tax laws were passed after extensive debate and approval by both houses of Parliament, making any rollback legally and politically untenable.
“The business community’s demand borders on blackmail. These tax laws are the will of the people’s representatives,” a senior government official told PkRevenue, adding that there would be no compromise under pressure.
In a face-saving move, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the committee to present a workable solution within 30 days of its formation on July 17, but for now, there is no change in the government’s posture.
Meanwhile, the business community, feeling stonewalled and betrayed, is going ahead with what could be one of the largest countrywide strikes in recent history. The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), under the leadership of President Jawed Bilwani, confirmed after an emergency meeting that the July 19 strike will go on as planned.
“We met with Haroon Akhtar, but the government stood its ground and offered no written assurance. Therefore, on Saturday, the entire commercial sector will come to a halt in protest,” Bilwani declared.
Shops, markets, and trading hubs across Pakistan are expected to remain shuttered, as traders unite in defiance against the controversial tax policies. With public sentiment simmering and business confidence plummeting, the July 19 strike now looms as a major test of the government’s ability to maintain economic order amid rising unrest.