In a significant show of unity, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) have declared their joint opposition to the proposed Tax Ordinance (Amendment) 2025, warning it could severely harm business expansion and undermine investor confidence in Pakistan.
A high-level meeting held at KCCI brought together a visiting RCCI delegation and their Karachi counterparts. The focus of the meeting was to strengthen collaboration between the chambers and strategize a united stance against the controversial tax legislation. Discussions included plans to establish an Inter-Chambers Harmony Committee, envisioned as a broad platform to consolidate the voices of chambers across the country.
Call for Unified Advocacy
Addressing the meeting via Zoom, Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala emphasized that the business community’s influence on policy has been diminished by fragmented representation. “It is imperative for all chambers, including KCCI and RCCI, to speak with one unified and powerful voice,” Motiwala stated. He highlighted shared challenges such as burdensome taxation, rising energy costs, and excessive regulation, advocating for a collective response. He specifically criticized policies like SRO709 and SRO350, labeling them as tools of harassment.
Chamber Leaders Express Concerns
President KCCI Muhammad Jawed Bilwani reiterated his history of cooperation with RCCI and stressed the critical need for unified lobbying efforts. He cautioned that the new tax ordinance, if enacted, would likely trigger further capital flight and discourage domestic investment. “Pakistan’s international business standing is deteriorating. RCCI and KCCI must take the lead in a collective effort to reverse this trend through credible, merit-based dialogue,” Bilwani asserted.
President RCCI Usman Shaukat echoed these sentiments, underscoring that economic difficulties affect all chambers equally. He stated, “The government’s approach of dividing and ruling must be countered with a joint strategy.” Shaukat affirmed RCCI’s commitment to working with KCCI and other chambers to advocate for genuine pro-business reforms. He also extended an invitation to KCCI to participate in RCCI’s upcoming All Pakistan Chambers Conference to broaden the economic discussion.
Fostering Future Collaboration
RCCI Group Leader Sohail Altaf called for institutional cooperation and suggested formalizing the alliance between RCCI and KCCI through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He believes their combined influence can set a precedent for other chambers, positioning RCCI and KCCI as drivers of meaningful reform.
Both chambers reaffirmed their commitment to cultivating a favorable business climate. They urged the government to abandon what they described as coercive tax measures and instead prioritize industrial development, economic fairness, and policy predictability.
