KARACHI: The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) has expressed serious concern over the ongoing strike of transporters, warning that the disruption in goods transportation is causing severe difficulties for exporters and posing a serious threat to Pakistan’s export supply chain.
PHMA Chairman for the south zone Faisal Arshad Sheikh said the uninterrupted movement of export cargo was essential for Pakistan’s international trade, particularly for the textile and apparel sector.
He said export shipments were tied to fixed vessel schedules, terminal cut-off times and strict delivery commitments to international buyers. Any disruption in transportation could; therefore, cause significant financial losses and weaken Pakistan’s export competitiveness.
Citing the latest Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) monthly summary for July 2026, he said that the country’s exports stood at Rs817.246 billion, equivalent to approximately Rs26.36 billion per day.
Sheikh said that even a short disruption to the transportation network could have a significant impact on export earnings and foreign exchange inflows.
He said that the exporters were facing serious difficulties in moving containers from factories and warehouses to Karachi Port and Port Qasim. The situation was particularly concerning because export cargo had to reach terminals within prescribed cut-off times.
Failure to meet these deadlines could result in vessel shut-outs, rollover of containers to subsequent vessels, cancellation or loss of shipping bookings and delays in deliveries to international buyers, he said.
He said vessel shut-outs could create a chain of additional costs and complications for exporters. Once a container missed its scheduled vessel, the cargo might have to wait for the next available sailing, while exporters could face additional detention, demurrage, terminal storage and handling charges.
Such delays could also affect production schedules, warehouse capacity and the timely fulfilment of export orders, he added.
He said the impact of the strike was not limited to the movement of finished export goods. Continued disruption could also affect the supply of raw materials and other production inputs, potentially causing factory-level disruptions and further delays in export shipments.
“Our exporters have already manufactured the goods, completed quality inspections, prepared documentation and secured shipping bookings. If transportation is disrupted at the final stage, the entire export chain is affected. Vessel shut-outs and shipment delays can result in additional costs, loss of business and damage to Pakistan’s reputation among international buyers,” Sheikh said.
The PHMA south zone chairman stressed that Pakistan could not afford a prolonged disruption to its export supply chain at a time when the country urgently needed to increase exports and strengthen foreign exchange earnings.
He urged the federal government, the Sindh government and all relevant authorities to immediately intervene and facilitate a negotiated settlement with transporters.
Sheikh also called on port authorities, terminal operators, shipping lines, freight forwarders and Customs authorities to provide maximum possible facilitation to exporters affected by the strike.
He specifically sought extensions in vessel cut-off times wherever possible, priority movement of stranded export containers and appropriate relief on detention, demurrage and storage charges arising directly from the disruption.
“Pakistan is handling approximately Rs26.36 billion worth of exports every day. We cannot allow such a vital economic activity to be disrupted. Every day of delay puts export shipments, foreign exchange earnings, industrial production and international buyer confidence at risk. The matter must; therefore, be resolved immediately in the larger national economic interest,” Sheikh said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026