The Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) has sounded the alarm over the ongoing nationwide goods transporters’ strike, warning that continued disruption could severely affect Pakistan’s textile and apparel supply chains and export shipments, and has sought the urgent personal intervention of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to end the deadlock.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, PTC Chairman Fawad Anwar said the nationwide strike, which began on August 8, is disrupting the movement of raw materials and export consignments across the country.
The Council highlighted that Pakistan’s textile and apparel industry relies heavily on uninterrupted transportation to move imported and locally sourced raw materials to manufacturing units and to ensure finished export consignments reach ports on time.
According to the letter, export containers are unable to move normally, imported raw materials are being held up at ports, while locally procured cotton and other essential inputs are facing difficulties in reaching textile mills—raising concerns over production schedules and timely fulfilment of export orders.
PTC acknowledged that the transporters’ demands involve matters requiring coordination among different levels and departments of the government. However, it cautioned that the economic cost of the continuing deadlock would increase with every passing day.
Calling for immediate action at the highest level, the Council requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to bring the relevant government authorities and representatives of the transport sector together to secure an early resolution of the strike.
The appeal comes amid concerns that a prolonged suspension of goods transportation could further disrupt industrial supply chains, delay export shipments and place additional pressure on the country’s export-oriented textile and apparel sector.
The letter, marked “Most Immediate,” was sent by PTC Chairman Fawad Anwar on August 10, with a copy also forwarded to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.
