KARACHI: One of Pakistan’s leading traders’ associations on Wednesday confirmed goods transporters have called off their 10-day strike following lengthy negotiations with the government, while flagging a significant logistical backlog and urging transporters to avoid charging arbitrary freight rates.
The strike had paralyzed the movement of factory goods, agricultural produce and export consignments across the country for more than a week, disrupting supply chains and raising concerns about shortages.
Local media reported the Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance ended the strike after saying federal and provincial administrations had accepted their demands and signed a settlement document.
“The transporters’ strike has been officially called off,” Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Rehan Hanif said in a video message. “I thank the government and all members of the transporters’ community who negotiated with great patience and goodwill and ultimately reached a resolution.”
“There is a ten-day backlog,” he added, addressing transporters. “We do not have enough trucks to clear it. The old practice was to charge arbitrary freight rates. I believe this should no longer continue. The entire nation and the business community stood by you. You should now operate at the same old freight rates.”
Turning to the government, Hanif called for relief on additional costs incurred during the disruption, urging authorities to waive demurrage and detention charges imposed at ports while cargo movement remained suspended.
The strike was launched in protest against steep fines imposed on transporters for various violations, alongside long-running disputes over axle-load limits and enforcement actions by customs and police authorities.
Transporters had also raised concerns about container theft and a lack of parking space in the Karachi Port Trust area.
