KCCI calls for PM’s immediate response to resolve transporters’ strike crisis

April 18, 2025 (MLN): To address the ongoing nationwide transporters’ strike, Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), has urgently called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to step in with immediate and decisive action.

Bilwani expressed serious concern over the strike, which has now entered its fourth consecutive day, bringing Pakistan’s logistics and transport systems to a standstill.

The strike has severely disrupted trade operations and caused immense damage to the already fragile national economy.

In a letter to the Prime Minister on Friday, Bilwani highlighted the paralysis of cargo movement across the country, according to the press release issued today.

He noted that export consignments are stuck at factories and warehouses, while import containers are stranded at port terminals under the custody of terminal operators and foreign shipping lines.

He warned that this disruption is leading to heavy financial losses for the business community and creating a ripple effect on industrial productivity and national economic stability.

Bilwani emphasized that delays in export shipments are causing missed deadlines, canceled orders, and the permanent loss of international buyers, which could tarnish Pakistan’s credibility as a reliable trading partner.

He also pointed out that the disruption in the import sector is choking supply chains, delaying production, and pushing industries into operational chaos.

The KCCI President further raised concerns about the rising demurrage and detention charges being imposed by port authorities and foreign shipping lines.

He stressed that these unjust charges, calculated in U.S. dollars, are compounding the financial distress of businesses and depleting the country’s already limited foreign exchange reserves, exacerbating the balance of payments crisis.

Bilwani also warned of the potential collapse of the perishable export sector, particularly fruits and vegetables, which rely on refrigerated containers and timely transport.

The strike has led to rotting produce, rejected consignments abroad, and devastating losses for exporters, impacting the agricultural economy and Pakistan’s long-term reputation in international markets.

Expressing disappointment over the lack of government action, Bilwani noted that neither the federal nor provincial governments appear to be making serious efforts to resolve the crisis.

The absence of coordination and leadership, he added, is pushing businesses toward collapse, potential mass layoffs, and long-term damage to the formal economic sector.

In his appeal to the Prime Minister, Bilwani called for immediate intervention to bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table, resolve the strike, provide relief from unjustified charges, and clear the backlog of consignments.

He urged that businesses are being forced to shift to air freight, further adding to the financial strain on an already suffering industry.

Concluding, Bilwani stressed that the business community is relying on the Prime Minister’s leadership to bring an end to the impasse.

He emphasized that only decisive action from the highest level could restore normalcy, protect Pakistan’s trade and industry, and safeguard the national economy from further deterioration.

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