By Our Correspondent
LAHORE – President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Mian Abuzar Shad has come out strongly in support of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s protest movement, lauding their bold stand against what he termed an “anti-business and suffocating economic policy framework.”
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In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, Shad expressed deep concern over the Finance Bill 2025-26, especially the controversial inclusion of Section 37(Aa) in the Sales Tax Act, which empowers FBR officers with unlimited arrest powers against businesspersons.
“The business community will not accept harassment in the name of documentation and tax compliance. This is not reform—this is economic strangulation,” Shad said. He warned that such unchecked powers would open the door to abuse, corruption, and an exodus of capital and investment from Pakistan.
Mian Abuzar Shad appreciated the leadership of Ikram-ul-Haq, President of the Sialkot Chamber, for boldly exposing the government’s mishandling of the economy and for launching a movement to awaken the business community and sensitize the government to the devastating implications of its policies.
He declared that the LCCI fully supports the July 19 protest call announced by the Sialkot Chamber and called upon all chambers of commerce, trade bodies, and associations across Pakistan to unite and join hands for a peaceful yet powerful message to the government.
“The business community is suffocating under the weight of harsh taxes, illogical policies, and harassment. Export orders are vanishing. Investments are fleeing. The government must listen before it’s too late,” Shad warned.
He also slammed the “green garden narrative” shown to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by his economic team and questioned why even repeated warnings from key ministers like Khawaja Asif were ignored.
“The economy is not a playground for experiments. The government must immediately withdraw oppressive clauses like 37(Aa), and open genuine dialogue with stakeholders. Otherwise, the day is not far when businessmen across the country will hand over their keys to the Prime Minister’s House as a sign of protest,” Shad added.
The LCCI President reiterated that reform should empower, not terrorize. He emphasized that while the business community stands for national progress and documentation, it will never tolerate arbitrary arrests, tax terrorism, and the breakdown of trust between the state and entrepreneurs.
Mian Abuzar Shad concluded by warning that making Pakistan “ungovernable through stubbornness and flawed policies” would not only collapse the economy but also destroy the future of millions of hardworking Pakistanis.
