ISLAMABD: The Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) has issued an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, calling for immediate intervention to address the ongoing transporters’ strike that has severely disrupted trade logistics and industrial supply chains, particularly at Karachi’s major ports.
In a formal letter submitted on Thursday, the PTC warned of escalating consequences as cargo operations remain paralyzed at Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and associated terminals. The disruption has led to the suspension of over 10,000 cargo movements per day, causing severe port congestion and halting the flow of both raw materials and export consignments.
The Council raised serious concerns over reports of unlawful actions by certain elements within the Transporters’ Union, including harassment of truck drivers, forced removal of gate passes, and vandalism of vehicles. Such acts, the PTC noted, have created a climate of insecurity and are undermining constitutionally protected commercial activities.
“This is not just a logistics crisis — it’s a national trade emergency,” said PTC Chairman Fawad Anwar. “Our member companies have high-value export consignments at risk of default, and containers of essential imported materials are stranded at ports. The financial and reputational damage could be devastating if urgent action is not taken.”
Representing approximately 30% of the country’s textile exports, the PTC has called on the Prime Minister to direct provincial governments, law enforcement agencies, port authorities, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to take immediate measures to:
- Restore law and order to ensure safe and secure transport operations;
- Collaborate with industry stakeholders and inter-agency forums to resolve the impasse;
- Guarantee the uninterrupted functioning of national logistics and port infrastructure.
The PTC reiterated its commitment to cooperating with the government to help restore stability and maintain continuity in Pakistan’s export performance, particularly at a time when global market competitiveness remains under intense pressure.
