Pakistan Transport Strike Halts Industry and Exports
A nationwide strike by goods transporters and oil tankers has brought industrial and export supply chains to a halt in Pakistan. Over 400,000 goods-carrying vehicles have been suspended from movement since Saturday.
The Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance says the strike will continue until talks with government ministers on Monday are completed. The transporters are dissatisfied with the daily fuel price mechanism introduced by the government.
Nisar Hussain Jafry, Chairman of the Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, said that transporters cannot make firm commitments on transportation charges due to daily changes in fuel prices. He urged the government to restore the monthly fuel price mechanism and reduce withholding tax on transporters from 7% to 2%.
The strike has created an alarming situation for manufacturers, who are already struggling with high production costs. The SITE Association of Industry President warned that prolonged disruption could paralyse factories, derail production schedules, and jeopardise export commitments.