Fruit exporters on Friday feared cancellation of orders from foreign buyers in the wake of continuing strike of goods transporters, which has brought exports and imports to a suspension for the second day. The goods transporters, despite disagreements within their different associations, continuing strike They slated the administration for not responding to their complaints to solve their long-running problems.
Talking to Business Recorder, transporters'leader, Khalid Khan said the government has failed to implement its decision which they had agreed some six months back assuring them to resolve their problems. "The strike will continue till the government solves our problems. The strike is suspending goods supplies to all seaports and upcountry," he said.
Karachi Port Trust (KPT) officials, however, denied reports that the strike has reduced the cargo and ship handling at the harbour. They said the port operations continued without any disturbances by the transporters strike. Transporters said they are forced to pay extortion to police and customs officials on monthly basis. Fruit exporters said "If buyers did not receive their consignments in time then they may cancel their orders placed with Pakistani exporters, which is feared to cause a huge financial loss to fruit exporters," they said.
Khalid Khan said the government should reverse its decision of increasing advance income tax on transporters from 100 percent to 500 percent "KPT has also backed out of its pledge to provide a parking lot to transporters," he said, adding that the transporters are compelled to stay on roadsides around the port area. He showed regrets over the "negative" attitude of police towards transporters, saying "the police forcefully takes containers from the transporters to block roads during any event in the city."
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