Goods transporters' strike to threaten export orders

The Goods transporters' strike puts billions of rupees' export orders on stake; and it will completely halt the export activities besides damaging the industrial manufacturing capacity. Talking to newsmen, Sheikh Ilyas Mahmood, Chairman and Adil Tahir, Vice Chairman Pakistan Textile Exporters Association warned that huge foreign orders are feared to be cancelled due to the strike, this would not only result in huge losses to the exporters, but also to the national exchequer.
The strike would cripple exports, which are the lifeline and backbone of the country's economy, they said and added that a large number of export shipments ready to be shipped as per the deadline given by the foreign buyers, would not reach the ports in time, resulting in the vessel sailing away without the consignment. If the strike prolongs further, this would lead to great loss to the exporters, fearing cancellation of vital orders, they warned. All textile chain is facing immense problems and economic activities have come to a halt in export sector, they said adding that the goods transport carriers strike would cease business activities as the goods are not reaching the ports.
Ilyas Mahmood was of the view that textile industry is already facing unprecedented energy crisis, as there is acute load shedding of electricity and there is a threat of complete shutdown of gas supply to industries in coming days. Over 50 percent production capacity has already become redundant and massive lay off is underway, he said. National economy relies heavily on textile exports and a crisis like situation is posing serious threat to the viability of the industry. The industry is not able to meet international commitments and failure to perform will lead to disputes, loss of valued customers, loss of market share as well as damaging Pakistan's reputation as a reliable supplier, he said. Adil Tahir said goods transport carriers strike would not only hurt shipments of export consignments but would also disturb import business as importers would be forced to pay demurrages for not clearing their consignments from the ports.