Transporters' Strike Threatens Pakistan’s Textile Exports: APTMA Urges Immediate Action

The ongoing goods transport strike across Pakistan has raised alarm bells for the country's textile sector. Industry leaders warn that if the situation persists, it could severely cripple exports, disrupt raw material supplies, and force mill shutdowns.

APTMA Demands Urgent Government Intervention

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has formally reached out to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, urging the government to step in and resolve the deadlock. The nationwide strike, launched by the All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad on August 8, has brought cargo movement to a standstill.

According to APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad, textile manufacturers are struggling with a severe shortage of transport containers and heavy trucks. This shortage is directly impacting three critical areas:

• Export Shipments: Finished textile products are stuck, risking missed international deadlines.

• Imported Cotton Supplies: Raw materials remain trapped at ports.

• Local Procurement: Cotton movement from local markets to mills has ground to a halt.

Low Cotton Stocks Pose Operational Risks

With the current cotton season wrapping up, most textile mills are operating on critically low raw material reserves. APTMA highlighted that any further delays in cargo transit could halt production lines, leading to potential job losses, export cancellations, and a drop in foreign exchange earnings.

Historically, similar transport disruptions have caused massive financial damages to the industrial sector. To safeguard national trade, APTMA has requested the Communications Ministry to grant priority clearance and safe passage for essential industrial cargo, imported raw cotton, and export consignments until the dispute is resolved.

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