By Saleem Mubarak
FAISALABAD: The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) and textile exporters are up in arms over the road closures in Sindh.
They have called on the government to step in before they take a financial hit.
The roads in Sindh have been closed due to a canal dispute, and the blockade has brought the movement of hundreds of containers to a standstill. This disruption not only throws a spanner in the works for timely export deliveries but also threatens to shatter the trust of international buyers.
Addressing a press conference at the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) North Zone office on Wednesday, Senior Vice Chairman Hazar Khan said the ongoing blockade has severely impacted the transportation of raw materials crucial for manufacturing.
He warned that this disruption will cause industrial operations to fall behind schedule and could bring production to a grinding halt.
Export Containers Stuck on Highways and Delayed Shipments
FCCI President, Rehan Naim Bhara, said that owing to the road closures, export containers are stuck on highways, and drivers are unable to reach the ports. He said that if this situation drags on, shipments will be delayed by one to two months, dealing a heavy blow to the export sector of Pakistan.
He claimed that approximately 1,000 containers are currently stranded en route to the ports, while a large volume of goods is also tied up at dry ports.
Mr. Bhara urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior officials, and especially Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to step in immediately, warning that further delays could deal a crushing blow to the national economy.
Relief on Electricity Tariffs Threatened by Road Closures
Farukh Iqbal, former Chairman of PHMA, pointed out that after the recent relief on electricity tariffs announced by the Prime Minister, exporters had reassured international clients that production was back on track.
However, the current situation is throwing a wrench into the works by severely hampering exports and restricting the movement of containers loaded with multiple products.
He called on the authorities to act swiftly and nip the issue in the bud to protect the export sector from spiraling losses.
Amid such circumstances, he said that we would not be able to meet the target of $60 billion in exports over the next five years.
Air Shipping: A Costly Alternative for Exporters
Rana Altaf Ahmad, former Senior Vice Chairman, cautioned that if the road closures drag on, exporters will be forced to fall back on air shipping – a costly alternative that could bleed them dry financially. He urged the government to pull out all the stops to resolve the issue and avoid the need for expensive alternatives.
Textile Industry’s Focus on Political and Economic Stability
Sayed Zia Alamdar Hussain, former FCCI President, stressed that the textile industry has no political axe to grind and is only focused on promoting political and economic stability in the country.
He called for the immediate lifting of road blockages to get business activities back on the track.
Export and Local Industries Hit Simultaneously
Wahid Khaliq Rame, Chairman of the Council of Powerlooms Owners Association, said that the road blockages in Sindh are hitting both export and local industries simultaneously.
He requested the President Asif Ali Zardari, who has held sway in Sindh for over 16 years – to step in and break the deadlock.
International Buyers Hesitate to Place New Orders
Mian Kashif Zia, former Chairman of PHMA, claimed that foreign buyers are hesitating to place new orders with Pakistani exporters due to the ongoing protests.
He said this situation is damaging Pakistan’s reputation internationally.
He warned that if goods are sent via air routes out of necessity, the cost will increase fourfold. This, he added, will severely impact exporters and the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
