FAISALABAD — The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) has announced its intention to strongly protest against the controversial provisions of the Finance Bill 2025-26, terming them “black laws” that threaten the unity and operations of the business community.
Acting FCCI President Qaiser Shams Gucha, speaking at a press conference following a joint meeting of local business bodies, emphasized that the chamber supports nationwide unity among traders and industrialists. However, he clarified that the final decision to join the countrywide strike on July 19 will be made after consultations with regional organizations.
Gucha referenced similar protest plans already confirmed by the Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot chambers, specifically targeting Sections A-37 and B-37 of the bill. These clauses give the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) unprecedented powers to arrest business owners and enforce severe penalties, raising alarms across Pakistan’s business landscape.
He warned that the provincial labor laws also contain dangerous provisions empowering authorities to arrest business owners, and demanded that these be withdrawn as part of the protest’s broader demands. Gucha expressed hope that the government, having received strong backlash from the business community, may reconsider its stance, possibly avoiding the need for a strike.
Swat APC Unites Against Tax Imposition, Land Encroachments, and Resource Exploitation
“If the government fails to listen,” he said, “a full-scale protest will be launched, centered at Ghanta Ghar Chowk, Faisalabad, with the participation of all local trade organizations.”
Gucha reaffirmed the chamber’s alignment with all major chambers of Pakistan, urging the federal government to recognize and accept the legitimate demands of the business community to protect economic stability.
He concluded by thanking the press for their support, encouraging them to help relay these demands to the authorities. Vice President Shahid Mumtaz Bajwa also appreciated the media’s role in amplifying the voice of traders and industrialists.