Mian Zahid Hussain, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Chairman National Business Group Pakistan, Chairman Policy Advisory Board FPCCI, and Former Provincial Minister Information Technology, has expressed serious concerns over the nationwide goods transporters’ strike, saying that the issue is no longer confined to the transport sector and is developing into a major economic impediment for importers, exporters, industries, traders and consumers.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the strike, continuing since August 8, has affected the movement of more than 400,000 goods-carrying vehicles. Transporters have raised concerns regarding withholding tax, toll taxes, axle-load regulations, customs-related grievances and daily changes in diesel prices. The government and transporters must reach a workable solution through immediate and meaningful negotiations, as every additional day of the strike is increasing losses across the economy. He said importers are among the worst affected because normal clearance and transportation of containers arriving at Karachi Port and Port Qasim have been disrupted. Imported raw materials are unable to reach factories, while demurrage, detention, storage and handling charges continue to accumulate on containers at ports despite importers having no control over the situation.
Mian Zahid Hussain said Pakistan imported goods worth approximately $6.89 billion in July 2026, while total merchandise imports stood at $69.597 billion during FY2025-26. Pakistan’s imports translate into cargo movement worth approximately Rs64 billion per day. Prolonged disruption in inland transportation from the ports is therefore sharply increasing business costs, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher prices. He demanded that the government, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, terminal operators, and shipping lines fully waive demurrage, detention, and related charges imposed on importers and exporters due to the strike.
Mian Zahid Hussain said the export sector is also under severe pressure. According to the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, export containers worth around $500 million are stranded at factories. Missing vessel cut-off times is resulting in shipment delays, additional costs, buyer claims, order cancellations and costly air shipments, while also increasing the risk of international buyers of Pakistani products shifting their sourcing to other countries. He said Pakistani industries are under continuous pressure. Imported and locally sourced raw materials are not reaching factories, while finished goods cannot move smoothly to ports and markets. Mian Zahid Hussain added that the textile sector, which generates around $18 billion in annual exports and is already suffering from a high cost of doing business, has been badly hit by fresh difficulties arising from the current strike.
Mian Zahid Hussain also expressed concern over the petroleum dealers’ announcement to close petrol pumps nationwide from August 15. He warned that if fuel supply and retail sales are disrupted alongside goods transportation, the consequences for business activity, supply chains, availability of essential commodities and inflation could be serious. He urged the government to constitute an empowered negotiating committee comprising the relevant ministries, FBR, NHA, port authorities, FPCCI and representatives of transporters to immediately resolve the outstanding issues.
Mian Zahid Hussain said Pakistan cannot afford to paralyse its logistics and supply chains while trying to increase exports and revive the economy. A dispute in the transport sector must not become a financial punishment for the entire national economy. He also appealed to goods transporters and petroleum dealers to avoid adding to the country’s difficulties in the prevailing challenging situation; they must immediately call off strikes and resolve their legitimate issues through negotiations.
