APTMA seeks govt action as transport strike threatens textile exports

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association has called on the government to act urgently over the goods transport strike that started on August 8, 2026. Mettis Global reported that the association made the appeal in a post on X, citing serious risks to the textile industry, its exports and employment. The association said the sector was already under strain before the stoppage began.

Export containers, containers carrying imported cotton and trucks moving local cotton have become unavailable because of the stoppage, the association said. Shipments abroad are hit directly, and imported cotton leaving ports as well as local cotton collected from markets are both affected. Cotton held by mills is already in short supply as the season ends, the association pointed out.

The association warned that a delay in getting imported and local cotton to mills could slow production and weigh on exports, employment and foreign exchange earnings. Earlier disruptions of this kind led to late shipments, financial losses and stoppages at mills, it added. It has asked authorities to step in promptly, ending the stoppage early and giving priority to moving export goods, imported raw materials and domestic cotton.