Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh, President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has expressed serious concern over the goods transporters' strike. He said truckers strike has entered third day. They have announced an indefinite strike. He informed that due to this strike price of essential commodities will rise in the country.
The goods transporters have parked their trucks, container, carriers and other loading transports on the Keamari port and Hawks Bay Roads and announced that the strike will continue till the acceptance of their demands. The goods transporters have refused to take the cargo from the ports to factories and factories to ports, therefore, the imported goods are stuck up at ports. The finished goods for exports are also lying at factories for the last three days.
Tanvir demanded that no demurrage should be imposed on imported shipments because they are not responsible for non-clearance of Cargo from Ports. This delay in shipments is hampering the business activities and production process. He said that the export-oriented sector has been badly affected due to the strike as the export shipments from the Karachi industrial area could not be made to Karachi and Port Qasim in the last two days.
Whereas the export-shipments, coming from upcountry also came to a halt and the export shipments laden trailers have been parked at the Highway outside Karachi. Tanvir Sheikah apprehended that if the problem is not resolved immediately the prices of essential goods will hike before the month of Holy Ramadan. He urged all the relevant authorities to intervene in the matter and restore the transportation to avoid losses to the government and the nation as well.