KARACHI: Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have confiscated over 10,000 containers to block thoroughfares in different parts of the country, said transporters on Wednesday, as Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam (JUI-F), a religio-political party, prepares to hold a massive rally in Islamabad against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration on Thursday.
“The container with vehicles impounded are loaded with food stuff, medicines and chemicals,” President of Karachi Goods Carrier Rana Aslam told Arab News. “More than 10,000 containers have been confiscated to block roads, causing a substantial decline in the shipping activities at the country’s ports.”
Transporters complained that the authorities were putting millions of dollars of export orders at stake by impounding containers carrying goods that were to be sent abroad.
“The ongoing political situation has completely broken the import-export cycle. No containers from Punjab is coming to Sindh. Likewise, transporters are not taking goods to Punjab, fearing seizure of vehicles for road blocks,” Senior Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig said.
“It is causing huge losses of billions of rupees as exports are being delayed,” he added.
Textile exporters say they are assessing the extent of losses suffered by them due to delays in shipments. “Exporters are contacting us and we will assess the situation and losses to our members,” Chairman Pakistan Apparel Forum Muhammad Jawed Bilwani told Arab News.
“The government was repeatedly advised to get old containers to deal with anti-government agitations but no action was taken, except in Karachi where few containers were acquired by the police to deal with such demonstrations,” he added. “This sends a negative signal to the world community and importers of Pakistani products.”
Transporters say they are suffering huge losses due to delay in moving containers to their destinations.
“We are paying $100 per day rent to the shipping lines for the containers,” Chairman Punjab Goods Transport Association Maqbool Hussain told Arab News.
“Apart from that, the transporters are also suffering losses of around Rs15,000-20,000 per vehicle on account of salaries to the staff and other expenses,” he added.
“The government announced a compensation, but so far no payments have been received as transporters are facing losses in millions of rupees,” Spokesman of All Pakistan Oil Tankers Association Israr Ahmed Shinwari told Arab News.
He said that transporters had gone on strike against the confiscation of their containers without any compensation.
Some transporters informed their containers had been released from the areas where the JUI-F Azadi (freedom) March caravan had passed. Still they said they were reluctant to carry goods upcountry.
Pakistani transporters say police seize thousands of containers ahead of protests
Pakistani transporters say police seize thousands of containers ahead of protests
- Many impounded containers carry food, medicines and chemicals, causing millions of rupees of losses to business community
- Transporters complain the ongoing political situation is causing logical problems, putting huge export orders at stake
Pakistan capital market transitions to T+1 settlement cycle ahead of multiple advanced markets
- A T+1 settlement cycle means that securities transactions are finalized and settled one business day after trade date
- Effective from Feb. 9, all eligible trades at the PSX are now settled on a T+1 basis, replacing the previous T+2 cycle
KARACHI: Pakistan’s capital market has officially transitioned to the Trade plus one (T+1) settlement cycle, a landmark reform that strengthens efficiency, reduces risk and aligns the country with international best practices, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) said on Tuesday.
A T+1 settlement cycle means that securities transactions are finalized and settled one business day after the trade date, which reduces counterparty risk and improves capital efficiency in the exchange of funds and securities.
Effective from Feb. 9, all eligible trades at the PSX are now settled on a T+1 basis, replacing the previous T+2 cycle. The transition was implemented under the guidance of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) through close collaboration among all stakeholders, according to the PSX.
It aligns Pakistan’s capital market with leading markets such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Jamaica and China, which have already adopted shorter settlement cycles. Europe, the UK and Switzerland are set to follow by 2027. By moving early, Pakistan has demonstrated its commitment to modernization and investor protection.
“The transition to the T+1 settlement cycle brings important advantages for Pakistan’s capital market. It enables faster access to funds and securities, improving liquidity, while reducing settlement and counterparty risk through shorter exposure periods,” the PSX said.
“Quicker trade finalization enhances efficiency and the reform strengthens investor confidence, particularly among institutional and foreign investors. Together, these benefits support a stronger and more resilient market aligned with global best practices.”
Pakistan’s stock market has touched historic highs in recent months as broad institutional buying boosted investor confidence amid ongoing economic reforms under international lending programs. Pakistani state media reported in Jan. around 135,000 new investors had joined the PSX over the last 18 months.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu commended the PSX, the Central Depository Company and the National Clearing Company of Pakistan for the successful implementation of the T+1 settlement system.
“The reform brings Pakistan’s capital market at par with modern jurisdictions by accelerating trade settlement, reducing counterparty and market risks, and enhancing liquidity,” he was quoted as saying by the PSX.
“The adoption of T+1 will strengthen investor confidence and align Pakistan’s capital market with evolving international standards and global best practices.”
