Pakistan transporters' nationwide strike disrupts supply chains

A nationwide strike by goods transporters and oil tankers in Pakistan has paralyzed the movement of over 400,000 vehicles, threatening the country's industrial and export supply chains.

The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance initiated the strike in response to the government's implementation of a daily fuel price mechanism, which replaced the previous weekly or monthly system. Transporters are demanding a return to monthly pricing, a reduction in withholding tax from 7% to 2%, and the restoration of previous toll rates.

Industrial leaders, including representatives from the SITE Association of Industry and the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industry, have warned that the disruption could lead to factory shutdowns, missed export orders, and job losses. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable to the halt in raw material supplies and the resulting cash flow freezes.

Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has stated that the government intends to resolve the issues and has invited transporter representatives for talks in Islamabad. The government emphasized that while addressing grievances, it would also proceed with enforcing axle-load policies to protect national highways.