Karachi Chamber urges government and transporters to resolve grievances through dialogue before prolonged disruption causes wider economic losses.
KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Rehan Hanif has warned that the ongoing nationwide strike by goods transporters and oil tankers could severely disrupt industrial production, supply chains, exports and overall economic activity if it continues.
In a statement issued on Monday, Rehan Hanif urged the federal and provincial governments to immediately engage representatives of the transport sector at the highest level and resolve their legitimate grievances through meaningful negotiations.
“The situation requires immediate intervention,” he said, calling for prompt action to address transporters’ concerns and prevent further damage to the national economy.
Transport Strike Threatens Supply Chains
The KCCI president said the transport sector serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s supply chain by connecting ports, industrial units, markets and consumers.
He warned that a prolonged suspension of goods and petroleum transportation could create a cascading impact across the economy, affecting the availability of raw materials, industrial production, movement of finished goods, fuel supplies, domestic trade and export shipments.
Rehan Hanif recalled that a similar disruption several months ago had caused substantial losses to the national economy, particularly the export sector.
He said exporters had faced difficulties in meeting contractual commitments and ensuring the timely shipment of consignments during the previous disruption.
“Pakistan’s export-oriented industries cannot afford another disruption at a time when the country is already facing multiple economic and operational challenges,” he cautioned.
KCCI Urges Dialogue to End Strike
The KCCI president stressed that legitimate concerns of transporters should be addressed through dialogue rather than allowing the dispute to turn into a prolonged confrontation.
At the same time, he appealed to transporters to demonstrate flexibility and consider the wider national interest.
“I also appeal to my brothers in the transport sector to please consider the enormous damage being caused to the country by this strike,” he said, urging them to call off the strike while negotiations continue.
Rehan Hanif acknowledged the transport sector’s right to raise legitimate demands but warned that an extended wheel-jam could ultimately harm industries, exporters, businesses and the transport sector itself.
Karachi Chamber Offers Mediation
The KCCI president said the chamber was ready to act as a mediator and facilitator between the government and transport representatives to help reach an amicable and sustainable settlement.
“KCCI is ready to play its role as a mediator. We are prepared to sit with the transport representatives and the government, and jointly work towards resolving their legitimate demands,” he said.
He stressed that the immediate objective should be to keep economic activity moving, ensure uninterrupted industrial operations and exports, and address genuine concerns of the transport sector through negotiations.
Rehan Hanif urged both sides to return to the negotiating table without delay and adopt a solution-oriented approach to end the disruption before it causes further economic losses.