Supreme Court's attention drawn to strike by transporters

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the strike of goods transporters which is hitting the trade, industry and economy hard. LCCI Acting President Amjad Ali Jawa while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday said the goods transporters' strike has already caused a loss of over Rs 60 billion to the trade and industry as trading goods are stuck up at Karachi Port Trust and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim. The suspension of essential items and edibles supply can cause food crisis in the country, he said.
He said the country was already facing huge challenges of decline in exports and historic trade deficit. In first 10 months of the ongoing financial year, the trade deficit jumped to $26.55 billion that is 40 percent high as compared to corresponding period of last year. Exports are also declining while situation is bound to further aggravate as strike of goods transporters has given a big blow to the export-oriented industry, he said. He said the strike will reverse the government's efforts aimed at economic revival of the country.
"Strike of goods transporters will not only cause hardship to the exporters but the government would also be the ultimate loser as far as revenue collection is concerned," Jawa said. Apart from bringing the exports and imports to a halt, the strike will not only hit the exports hard but the industrial wheel will also stop due to non-availability of imported raw material, he maintained. He said no space has been left at the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, so the cargo ship would not be able to offload consignments. It will take around two months to clear up the mess at these ports after termination of strike, he added.
He said the goods transporters' justified demands should be met by the government to avoid any anarchy like situation. The government should take appropriate measures to avert any such strike in future as it is not only hitting the economy but also sending a very negative signal to the foreign businessmen who have invested in Pakistan, he said.