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PESHAWAR, Jul 17 (APP):Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has postponed the province-wide strike after successful talks with the government over certain budgetary measures introduced through Finance Bill 2025-26.
Fazal Moqeem Khan, president of the chamber in his statement here on Thursday stated that the country-wide strike was scheduled to be observed on July 19 (Saturday), against five key measures incorporated into the federal budget for the current fiscal year, along with 32 anomalies in the Finance Act, particularly Sections 37A, 37B and 21 (S), it claims, grant the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) arbitrary arrest powers.
On July 14, he said SCCI formally made an announcement through a media conference to fully support the countrywide strike on July 19.
The very next day, the federal government invited representatives of all trade bodies for negotiations.
He said Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Senator Haroon Akhtar, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal and other senior officials held a meeting with members of the business community.
Therefore, he said the business community has postponed the strike till August 15 after government assurance to address all grievances and problems within a month.
He made it clear that traders will strongly protest, if the government didn’t resolve issues as per commitment till Aug 15.
It is pertinent to mention here that a committee was formed under Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan to address the business community’s reservations.
The SCCI chief said the committee is expected to conduct detailed consultations over the next 30 days and present a consensus-based, practical solution to the federal cabinet.
Fazal Moqeem said that the government had given assurance that traders’ concerns regarding transactions will be addressed, and efforts will be made to ensure that the business community does not face unnecessary difficulties.