KCCI appeals to PM as transport deadlock threatens exports, industry

KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Muhammad Jawed Bilwani has made an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for swift and decisive action to resolve the ongoing nationwide transporters’ strike.

Bilwani warned that the strike, now in its fourth consecutive day, has brought the country’s logistics and transport systems to a standstill, severely disrupting trade operations and inflicting significant damage on the already fragile national economy.

In a letter sent to the prime minister on Friday, Bilwani expressed grave concern over the paralysis of cargo movement across the country. “Export consignments remain stuck at factories and warehouses, while import containers are stranded at port terminals under the custody of terminal operators and foreign shipping lines,” he stated. “This disruption is causing heavy financial losses to the business community and triggering a cascading effect on industrial productivity and economic stability.”

He emphasised that delays in export shipments are likely to lead to missed deadlines, cancelled orders and the potential permanent loss of international buyers. “This not only damages Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable trading partner but also undermines future export prospects at a time when every dollar is critical for our economy,” Bilwani added. “On the import side, the inability to move containers is choking supply chains, delaying production and plunging industries into operational chaos.”

The KCCI president also highlighted the mounting burden of demurrage and detention charges imposed by port authorities and foreign shipping lines. “These unjust charges, calculated in US dollars, are compounding the financial stress faced by businesses,” he noted. “Their remittance abroad is further depleting Pakistan’s already limited foreign exchange reserves and worsening the balance of payments crisis.”

Addressing the impact on perishable exports, Bilwani warned of an imminent disaster. “Pakistan’s fruit and vegetable exports, which rely heavily on refrigerated containers and timely delivery, are at serious risk,” he said. “Due to the ongoing disruption, fresh produce is rotting, consignments are being rejected overseas and exporters are suffering devastating losses. This crisis not only threatens our agricultural economy but is also damaging our long-term credibility in international markets.”

Bilwani expressed deep disappointment over the government’s inaction. “It is alarming that, despite the scale of this crisis, there has been no meaningful response from either the federal or provincial governments,” he said. “The lack of coordination and leadership is pushing already strained businesses toward potential collapse, widespread layoffs and long-term harm to the formal economic sector.” He urged the prime minister to immediately convene all relevant stakeholders for urgent negotiations. “We need a mediated resolution to the strike, relief from unjustified demurrage and detention charges, and the swift clearance of the backlog of consignments,” Bilwani stressed. “Many exporters are now being forced to shift to air freight, which is significantly more expensive and adds further financial strain to already struggling businesses.”

Bilwani underscored the importance of a prompt and coordinated government response. “The business community is counting on the prime minister’s leadership to end this deadlock,” he concluded. “Only decisive action at the highest level can restore normalcy, safeguard trade and industry, and prevent further deterioration of the national economy.”