APTMA seeks govt action as transport strike threatens textile exports

August 12, 2026 (MLN): The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has sought urgent government intervention over the indefinite goods transport strike that began on August 8, warning of serious disruptions to Pakistan’s textile industry, exports and employment.

In a post on X, APTMA said the All Pakistan Goods Transport Itehad had announced the indefinite strike from August 8, 2026.

APTMA noted that the textile industry is already under serious pressure, while the strike has made export containers, imported cotton containers and local cotton transport trucks unavailable.

The disruption is directly affecting export shipments, the movement of imported cotton from ports and the lifting of local cotton from markets to textile mills.

The association highlighted that cotton stocks with mills are already low at the end of the season.

It warned that if imported and local cotton cannot reach mills on time, production could be disrupted, adversely affecting exports, employment and foreign exchange earnings.

APTMA further warned that disruption of cargo movement could have serious consequences for the textile industry and exports. Similar disruptions in the past had caused delays in export shipments, financial losses and interruptions in mill operations.

The association urged the government to intervene on an urgent basis for early resolution of the transport strike. It also requested that export cargo, imported raw materials and local cotton movement be facilitated on priority to ensure industrial activity remains uninterrupted.

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