The auto industry is contemplating suspending its production, following the entry restriction on the trawlers carrying vehicles on the motorways across the country. According to details, the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) had a limited space to stock not more than two days' production hence this restriction is creating production issues for them.
The motorway police have stopped car carriers to come on motorways over the issue of length of trawlers albeit the length is as per international standards. "We are stuck for last one week. These trawlers are carrying 1500 brand new cars of local manufacturers of the country. This is also creating production issues for them as their yards are full," said the spokesman of All Pakistan Car Carriers Association.
He said that local car manufacturing companies would have to halt production as there was no supply of cars for last one week and if this issue was prolonged, the industry would be on the verge of closure due to stoppage of production. "Small vendors will be heavily affected, while the customers are also facing issues since they won't get their vehicles in time."
The spokesman said that they wrote to Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) Ashraf Tarar and Federal Secretary of Communication Khalid Masood Choudhry and asked for urgent meeting to avoid strike against illegal detention/stoppage of car carriers on highways and motorways in Pakistan.
"Our business has come to a sudden halt, resulting in heavy loss of revenue to the national exchequer. This issue would create direct and indirect unemployment to thousands of citizens attached with this industry alone," stated the association's letter. The spokesman said that the delegation went to meet the Inspector General motorways in Islamabad but instead of listening to them he did not allow the association to express their concerns to him.
"We request to Chairman NHA and federal secretary communication to look into the matter," he added. The spokesman threatened to go on strike, saying that they would have no other option but to go on strike for indefinite period if this issue was not resolved soon.