Goods transporters’ strike chokes trade as containers pile up at ports

The 10-day-long strike by goods transporters has brought import and export activities to a halt, leading to a buildup of imported containers at ports. However, spokesmen for Karachi Port and Port Qasim have stated that port operations are continuing as normal and there has been no disruption to the arrival and departure of ships. In contrast, All Pakistan Customs Agents Association Chairman Arshad Khurshid told The Express Tribune that approximately 25,000 imported containers, including edible oil, industrial raw materials and other consumer goods, are awaiting onward transportation to their respective destinations at the two ports. He added that due to the goods transporters' strike, around 15,000 containers carrying export goods have failed to reach the ports.