Supply disruptions hit Rawalpindi and Islamabad as containers are seized

The seizure of approximately 1,000 containers, heavy vehicles, and trucks in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has caused significant disruptions to the supply of essential goods. Authorities have blocked supply routes and seized vehicles to manage four scheduled long marches, leading to a halt in the arrival of heavy goods transport at wholesale markets.

Supplies of vegetables, fruits, meat, milk, and other perishables from cities including Karachi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Quetta have been suspended. Wholesale Dealers Association Vice President Sajid Khan warned that goods such as dry fruits, medicines, and fresh produce already loaded in seized vehicles are beginning to spoil. If the situation persists for 72 hours, shortages of sugar, flour, pulses, and other staples are expected to intensify.

Dealers have reported that prices for certain items could rise by as much as 100 per cent by the end of the week. To avoid further seizures, some transport owners have begun hiding vehicles in remote areas, and the concentration of containers at key locations like Faizabad and Rawat is also hindering the distribution of food to other districts.