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Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh confirmed that the business community will not hold a strike tomorrow, following successful talks, and businesses will operate as usual.
The announcement was made after a special committee meeting of the FPCCI, where Sheikh stated that business chambers from across Pakistan are united on the recent taxation and finance issues.
“Some members were initially upset, but all concerns were resolved in today’s meeting,” said Sheikh. “Everyone is now on board with our unified stance.”
He said the FPCCI’s role is to act as a bridge between the government and the business sector, facilitating dialogue and avoiding confrontation.
“The government has listened to our concerns in full detail and responded with flexibility on controversial provisions of the Finance Bill and Sales Tax Act,” he added.
Sheikh highlighted that the government has accepted the core demands and agreed to withdraw the contentious clauses, easing the business community’s major reservations.
He assured that a formal summary of recommendations will be presented to the Prime Minister (PM), whose final approval is now awaited.
“Following today’s decisions, there will be no business strike anywhere in the country tomorrow,” Sheikh confirmed. “Any protest call given was purely individual and not backed by the wider business community.”
Senior Vice President FPCCI Saqib Fayyaz Magon echoed the same message, stating the entire business sector stands down from protest due to the positive government response.
Magon confirmed that “the government has withdrawn the controversial tax measures” and stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue over disruption.
President of Anjuman Tajran Pakistan, Ajmal Baloch, also addressed the media, saying this is the first time FPCCI and Anjuman Tajran are united on a national issue.
He said the government has assured that all trader grievances will be addressed within a month, eliminating the need for immediate protest action.
“However, if promises are broken, we – along with FPCCI and all chambers – will unite and call a nationwide strike,” Baloch warned.
