A crippling nine-day strike by goods transporters has brought industrial activity to a standstill, inflicting daily losses of billions of rupees upon the national economy.
This was informed by Muhammad Ikram Rajput, President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) in a statement today. He expressing grave concern over the prolonged walkout and stated that the suspension of freight movement from major industrial hubs, including Korangi, Landhi, and Bin Qasim, has severely hampered the supply of raw materials and the distribution of finished products. Consequently, he noted, production at numerous factories has either slowed significantly or is on the brink of a complete shutdown.
The KATI President warned that the ongoing delays in fulfilling export orders are actively damaging Pakistan’s credibility within international markets, adding another layer of complexity to the challenges already confronting the industrial sector. “The continued delay in resolving issues between transporters and relevant authorities has become unbearable for industry,” Rajput said.
He highlighted that industrialists are already contending with high energy costs, elevated interest rates, and subdued market demand. He described the complete breakdown of the transport system as an unbearable additional pressure on the business community.
In his statement, Rajput urged the federal and provincial governments to intervene immediately and facilitate an effective dialogue process involving all stakeholders to resolve the impasse and bring the strike to an end.
The business leader cautioned that if the situation is not normalized swiftly, it could trigger a rise in unemployment and lead to long-term disruptions across the national supply chain.
Rajput emphasized that while the business community is eager to contribute to the nation”s economic recovery, such efforts are contingent upon stability in essential sectors like logistics. He expressed hope that the government would promptly address the transporters” concerns and present a workable solution to keep the wheels of the economy moving.