The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today issued a stark warning that businesses in and around Aurangzeb Market are facing a serious risk of closure due to prolonged development work on the vital M.A. Jinnah Road. KCCI President Muhammad Rehan Hanif voiced deep concern over the immense hardship faced by traders, urging for the immediate restoration of the key city artery to prevent the collapse of commercial activity in the area.
During a meeting with a delegation from the All-Pakistan Motorcycle Spare Parts Importers and Dealers Association (APMSPIDA), Hanif assured that he would raise the pressing issue directly with Karachi”s Mayor, Barrister Murtaza Wahab. He emphasized the necessity of either completing the unfinished work without further delay or restoring the road to its original condition to provide immediate relief.
APMSPIDA Chairman Sohail Usman Sheikh reiterated the severe impact of the half-dug road, which he stated has crippled commercial operations by restricting parking and causing severe traffic congestion. He formally appealed for KCCI”s intervention to press the Mayor for the road”s urgent restoration.
A more alarming development highlighted by Sheikh was the reemergence of extortion demands after several years of relative peace. He disclosed that APMSPIDA members have started receiving ‘bhatta’ chits again and requested KCCI to facilitate a meeting with top Sindh Police officials, including the Inspector General, to address the escalating law and order concerns.
In response, the KCCI President assured the delegation that a meeting would be arranged with the relevant SSP and SHO. He urged any merchant receiving threats to confidentially report them to the Chamber, which would discreetly convey the information to law enforcement agencies, noting the government”s commitment to tackling such crimes.
The business community also raised concerns about power supply, specifically a Rs9.3 million quotation from K-Electric (KE) for a dedicated transformer (PMT). Sheikh described the cost as unaffordable for small traders, who are currently suffering from increased operational expenses due to the use of noisy generators amidst power shortages.
Hanif pledged KCCI”s support in negotiating the cost with KE. He proposed a joint meeting involving representatives from APMSPIDA, the Pakistan Chemicals Dyes Merchants Association (PCMDA) which faces a similar issue, and KE to deliberate on load shedding and find a mutually agreeable solution.
The discussion also covered import-related difficulties, with Sheikh pointing to high customs duties and the inclusion of motorcycle parts in the Third Schedule as factors driving up import costs and fostering an uneven playing field due to rising smuggling.
President Hanif noted the past responsiveness of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Customs authorities to the Chamber’s interventions. He tasked Vice President Arif Lakhani with organizing a meeting with the Director Valuation at Customs and assured that another meeting with the Prime Minister”s Special Assistant on Revenue, Haroon Akhter, would be arranged in January 2026 to seek realistic relief in customs duties.
The meeting concluded with both organizations reaffirming their commitment to collaborative efforts to protect business interests and ensure Karachi”s commercial environment remains conducive to economic activity. The APMSPIDA chairman also praised Hanif”s leadership and called for stronger coordination between trade bodies nationwide to advocate for reforms.