ISLAMABAD: Goods transport associations across Pakistan have declared a complete nationwide wheel-jam strike on July 19, expressing full support for the business community’s protest against controversial provisions in the newly passed Finance Bill.
At a joint press conference held at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Malik Sher Khan, President of the Karachi Goods Carrier Association, announced that no supply vehicle will operate anywhere in the country on the day of the strike.
“If traders choose to prolong the strike, the transport community is ready to extend its support indefinitely,” Khan said, standing in solidarity with industrialists and business leaders.
He confirmed that all goods transporters across Pakistan will participate in the strike under the leadership of the KCCI, and that the supply chain will remain halted nationwide until the chamber’s demands are met.
The announcement was backed by heads of transport associations from various regions and KCCI President Javed Bilwani, who co-hosted the press conference.
Protest Against New Tax Provisions _ Transport strike
The strike is primarily in response to Sections 37A and 37B of the Sales Tax Act, recently introduced under the 2024-25 Finance Bill. Business and transport leaders argue that these provisions place an undue financial burden on traders and logistics companies.
Javed Bilwani revealed that the KCCI has received multiple calls from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance seeking to initiate talks. However, he criticized the Finance Minister for failing to visit Karachi or hold direct discussions with stakeholders.
“We are open to dialogue, but our stance is firm: unless our five core demands are fulfilled immediately, the strike will continue,” Bilwani emphasized during the emergency meeting.
He also confirmed that transport associations have pledged to sustain their support even if the strike is extended beyond July 19.
As the deadline approaches, pressure is mounting on the federal government to engage with the business and transport sectors to avoid a major disruption to the national supply chain.
