Goods transporters’ strike: Disruption brings export logistics to a standstill: PTEA
FAISALABAD: The Textile export industry is highly perturbed over the suspension of cargo traffic due to the countrywide strike of goods transporters.
The disruption has brought export-related logistics to a virtual standstill, putting millions of dollars’ worth of export orders at stake and leaving textile exporters unable to meet their international commitments.
Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, Chairman Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) Sohail Pasha expressed serious concern over the situation, stating that the continued suspension of goods transportation is severely disrupting the movement of export cargo, raw materials, and other essential supplies. The situation is particularly alarming for the textile industry, which operates on strict production and shipment schedules linked to international buyers and shipping lines and cannot afford delays in the delivery of committed orders. Export shipments are time-bound, and any disruption in transportation can result in missed vessel cut-offs, cancellation or postponement of shipments, additional container and storage charges, production delays and financial losses.
Chairman PTEA warned that failure to fulfil international commitments may have consequences far beyond immediate financial losses. Persistent delays could lead to contractual disputes with international buyers, claims for compensation, cancellation of orders, loss of customers and erosion of Pakistan’s market share. More importantly, repeated disruptions could damage Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable and dependable supplier in international markets. He stressed that the issue requires an urgent and coordinated response from the government and all concerned stakeholders and the issue must be resolved through meaningful dialogue, the complete suspension of cargo movement is creating serious consequences for the country’s export-oriented industries.
He urged the government to immediately intervene and resolve the issue to bring an end to the strike. A mechanism should also be established to ensure uninterrupted movement of export cargo, particularly containers carrying time-sensitive shipments.
PTEA’s Vice Chairman Ameer Ahmad was of the view that goods transport carriers strike is not only hurting shipments of export consignments but also disturbing import business as importers would be forced to pay demurrages for not clearing their consignments from the ports. Pakistan cannot afford disruption to its export supply chain at a time when the country is striving to increase foreign exchange earnings, expand exports and improve its position in international markets. Every day of disruption puts additional export orders and foreign exchange earnings at risk. He called upon the government to treat the matter as an economic emergency and ensure that the movement of export cargo is restored on an immediate basis. The government must also work with stakeholders to develop a sustainable mechanism that prevents future disruptions to the national export supply chain.
PTEA urged the Government to intervene immediately and resolve the matter without further delay, warning that any prolonged disruption could cause significant financial losses to exporters, jeopardize international orders, undermine Pakistan’s export competitiveness and adversely affect the country’s credibility in global markets.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026