Export cargo by GHAs: FPCCI concerned at imposition of additional charges

LAHORE: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) have expressed serious concern over the unilateral imposition of additional charges on export cargo by Ground Handling Agencies (GHAs). Zaki Ejaz, Regional Chairman and Vice President of FPCCI, stated that Gerry’s dnata and Raas (AMI) Air Menzies International have levied an extra fee of 25 to 50 rupees per kilogram on export cargo, generating a financial burden of approximately 40 million rupees daily, 280 million rupees weekly, and 1.2 billion rupees monthly.

He explained that these GHAs previously settled any additional charges directly with airlines without imposing any extra fee on exporters. However, they are now bypassing that system and collecting these charges directly from exporters, which he described as a clear injustice. Zaki Ejaz warned that exporters are already grappling with rising freight costs and operational expenses, and these unexpected charges could seriously undermine Pakistan’s textile and pharmaceutical export sectors, as well as the country’s international trade reputation. He further noted that these fees also violate Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) regulations by circumventing the airline billing system.

Zaki Ejaz noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir are actively working to boost exports, and this development is directly undermining those efforts. He appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, and Federal Minister for Defence and Civil Aviation Authority Khawaja Muhammad Asif to intervene immediately.

Jameel Ahmed, Chairman of PIFFA, warned that if these charges are not withdrawn immediately, no cargo will be accepted after 12 o’clock in the affected city, which could trigger a nationwide strike. Rana Tariq, Chairman of the Air Cargo Agents Association of Pakistan (ACAAP), stated that exporters cannot sustain business operations under such sudden and excessive financial impositions. Masood Alam, Chairman of the Lahore Mal Chamber, also demanded immediate government action. Muhammad Hanan, Chairman of the Pakistan Meat Exporters Association, cautioned that exports, particularly meat exports, could be severely affected.

Zaki Ejaz, Regional Chairman and Vice President of FPCCI, concluded that this unilateral move could inflict serious damage on Pakistan’s export target of 100 billion dollars and its standing in international trade. The FPCCI has formally demanded the immediate reversal of these charges, a review of GHA licenses, the formation of a high-level committee, and a transparent investigation into the unauthorized fee increases.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026