Mian Zahid says concerned at goods transporters’ strike

Mian Zahid Hussain, who heads the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, has voiced grave worry about the countrywide goods transport stoppage. He argues the dispute has moved beyond the transport industry and now hampers importers, exporters, manufacturers, merchants and shoppers alike. Business Recorder reported that the walkout, under way since 8 August, has idled more than 400,000 freight vehicles.

Transporters are protesting withholding tax, toll levies, axle-load rules, customs grievances and day-to-day shifts in diesel rates. Imported materials are not reaching factories, and demurrage and storage fees keep piling up on containers at Karachi Port and Port Qasim, even though importers cannot influence the stoppage. Pakistan's imports were valued at around USD6.89 billion in July 2026, which he equated to cargo movement of roughly Rs64 billion daily.

Exporters are under similar pressure, as roughly $500 million worth of containers are reportedly stuck at factories and missed vessel cut-offs are causing delays, buyer claims and order cancellations. He cautioned that a planned petrol pump closure from 15 August could add to disruption in fuel supply and retail sales. He urged the government to form an empowered negotiating committee, waive demurrage and related charges, and asked transporters and petroleum dealers to call off their strikes and negotiate.