Karachi: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, announced that the local business community is pressuring the Chamber to call for a strike due to the government's neglect of critical economic issues such as high energy tariffs, rising business costs, and excessive taxation.

According to Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, Sheikh emphasized that only issues highlighted through public demonstrations seem to receive government attention. This has been evident from recent reductions in electricity tariffs following protests by Azad Jammu Kashmir residents and strikes by flour mills and petrol dealers. In contrast, the broader concerns of the business community, including renegotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), have been consistently overlooked.

Sheikh also expressed frustration with the Finance Minister's lack of engagement, which he attributed to constraints imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite regular dialogues with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the business community feels compelled to consider more drastic actions such as strikes and protests due to the unresponsiveness of other government segments.

While acknowledging the negative impact of strikes on the economy and particularly on the daily wage earners, Sheikh reiterated that the Karachi Chamber does not favor such measures. However, he warned that without prompt government action to address these pressing issues, the business community might be forced to escalate their protests, or worse, relocate their businesses overseas, further straining Pakistan's economic stability.