Strike halts trade at ports

The Express Tribune reported that a nationwide wheel-jam strike by transporters has almost halted freight handling at ports. Imported goods are stuck, and export orders face serious delays, according to a Friday statement from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). The chamber's president, Atif Ikram Sheikh, said the ten-day stoppage is causing heavy harm to the national economy.

According to the report, factories are either slowing output sharply or stopping production because raw materials are running short. Traders and manufacturers face rising demurrage and detention charges on containers that remain stranded, and missed export deadlines are damaging the reputation of Pakistani exporters abroad. FPCCI described the situation as a major economic obstacle for importers, exporters, traders and consumers.

The chamber urged authorities to weigh transporters' grievances and end the strike without delay, and asked the government, the maritime ministry, port bodies and terminal operators to fully waive demurrage and detention charges. Separately, the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) said exporters face unpredictable fuel prices, high power and gas tariffs, costly financing, delayed refunds and cargo disruption, and it pointed to the daily petroleum pricing system introduced recently.