Goods transporters strike to cripple exports: PTEA chairman

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The goods transporters strike would completely halt the export activities besides damaging the industrial manufacturing capacity. Textile export orders worth billions of rupees feared to be lost.
Talking to newsmen here Friday, Asghar Ali, chairman and Muhammad Asif, vice chairman Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) warned that huge foreign orders would be cancelled due to the strike, this would not only result in huge losses to the exporters, but also to the national exchequer. The strike would cripple exports, which were the lifeline and backbone of the country’s economy, he said and added that a large number of export shipments ready to be shipped as per the deadline given by the foreign buyers, could not reach the ports in time, resulting in the vessel sailing away without the consignment. If the strike prolongs further, this would lead to great loss to the exporters, fearing cancellation of vital orders, they warned. All textile chain was facing immense problems and economic activities came to a halt in export sector, they said adding that the goods transport carriers strike would cease business activities as the goods are not reaching the ports.
Asghar Ali was of the view that textile industry is already facing unprecedented energy crisis, as there was acute load shedding of electricity and there was complete shutdown of gas supply to industries in Punjab from last 60 days. Over 50 per cent production capacity has already become redundant and massive lay off was underway throughout Punjab, he said. Muhammad Asif said that goods transport carriers strike would not only hurt shipments of export consignments but would also disturb import business as importers would be forced to pay demurrages for not clearing their consignments from the ports. Furthermore, the strike also affects manufacturing activities as industrial units will not receive raw materials and fuel to run their mills, resulting in heavy financial loss.