Industrialists have urged the petroleum dealers to call off their strike in the best interest of the country, and stressed upon to government to intervene in the matter. They feared that if this strike continued, it would paralyse not only the economic activities and cripple the industrial production, but would create problems for the general public.
Taking to Business Recorder, Site Association of Industry (SAI) Chairman Imran Shaukat feared that unavailability of fuel would badly affect the movement of transport, ultimately hitting movement of industrial workforce, industrial production, exports, shipment of goods etc.
He expressed concern that continuation of strike would also hit supply of life-saving drugs. Chief pattern of North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKTI) Captain Moiz Khan said that industries had already suffered huge losses due to recent rains, and now the strike by the petroleum dealers would adversely affect the industrial activities.
Referring to the negative impact of the strike, he said the exporters would not be able to honour their commitments to the foreign buyers, delaying shipments, as there would be no movement of heavy vehicles and public transport.
Replying to a question, he said that there was no impact of strike on transport and workers' attendance on Friday, as the transporters had filled their tanks a day before the strike. However, he feared if the strike continued for another day, this stock would be exhausted.
Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) Chairman Masood Naqi said that the impact of the petroleum dealers' strike could be felt in the wake of the transporters had warned that the tanks of their vehicles were empty.
Chairman of Federal "B" Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBAATI) Masroor Ahmed Alvi hoped that production activities might not be much effected on Saturday, but he feared if the strike continued till Monday, it would be disastrous. He feared that the workers attendance might drop on Saturday due reduced availability of transports.