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Cargo supplies remained suspended across the country on Friday, as goods transporters' strike continued on a fifth consecutive day causing hardship for the laborers associated with this segment of business.

A spokesperson for the protesting goods transporters said supply of cargo meant for export from Karachi and Bin Qasim ports has been suspended owing to the strike. He said supply of imported goods, including industrial and construction machinery, has been suspended as well.

It may be noted that cargo supplies across the country came to a halt on Monday when goods transporters suspended their operations in protest over hefty increase in fines. Transporters said that they decided to halt the cargo supply as a last resort after their several appeals had failed to convince the authorities to take action over their concerns. As per estimates, over 300,000 goods transport vehicles run across the country, while over 17000 cargo vehicles run from Karachi to upcountry daily.

Expressing concern over the transporters' strike, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said this strike is hitting exports, trade, industry and economy hard and urged the government to resolve the issue through negotiations.

In a statement, LCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Senior Vice President Ali Hussam Asghar and Vice President Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad said that strike by the goods transporters has already caused loss of billions to the trade and industry as trading goods are detained at Karachi Port Trust and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim. They said that daily wagers are struggling bread and butter while supply of essential items and edibles raising the threat of food crisis in the country. They said that exports are also below the par while situation is bound to further aggravate as strike of goods transporters has given a big blow to the export-oriented industry. "Strike of goods transporters would not only cause hardship to the exporters but government would also be the ultimate loser as far as revenue collection is concerned", the LCCI office-bearers said, adding: "If strike continues, no space would be left at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim that's mean that cargo ship would not be able to unload their loads."

They said that cash-starved businesses in Pakistan were already facing multiple internal and external challenges while the strike would add fuel. They demanded of the government to take stakeholders onboard and address the genuine issues of goods transporters at the earliest.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020

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