AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, December 11, 2012 (PPI-OT): In a press release Mr. Usman Ahmed, President of Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry has expressed its concern over strike by Goods Transporters, strike is being observed over lack of security and load limits set by the motorway police along with the fines being issued, goods transport carriers strike has completely halted the export and import activities and has also damaged the industrial manufacturing capacity of the country resulting in per day losses of around Rs. 3.6 billion to the foreign exchange earnings through exports.
He said that the transport of goods to factories was being affected by this causing closure of ghee units, cement and soap manufacturing units due to non supply of raw materials to industries.
President BQATI said that the goods transport carriers strike which had entered into its 10th day had ceased business activities as the goods were not reaching the ports due to which the country had suffered a loss of exports of around $ 600-700 million so far.
The goods transport carriers strike had not only hurt shipments of export consignments but have also disturbed import business as importers were forced to pay demurrages for not being able to clear their consignments from the ports. Furthermore, the strike had been affecting manufacturing activity as industrial units were not receiving raw materials and fuel to run their mills, thus resulting in a loss of over Rs. 3.6 billion per day.
Mian Muhammed Ahmed, Patron In-chief and Founder President urged the government must interfere to resolve the matter without any further delay, as the transporters are at the firm decision they will not end strike until government meets their demands. If regular supply of raw materials to industries is not regularized, thousand of industrial workers, particularly the daily wages would face retrenchment. He urged the government to save industries.
He stressed upon the government to find out a workable solution to the problem and urged them to play a positive role to end the ongoing strike so that business activities could be started without any further delays.
Mr. Abdul Rasheed Jan Mohammed, Vice President BQATI added that if the situation was not resolved, there could be a shortage of essential consumer goods in the coming days. The strike has also affected the supply of flour, sugar, ghee, cement, fertilizer and vegetables to local markets.
For more information, contact:
Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (BQATI)
Old MCB Building, Near Chairman Secretariat,
inside port Qasim Area, Port Qasim Authority,
Port Qasim, Karachi 75020 Pakistan
Tel: +9221 3473 0111
Fax: +9221 3520 6870
Email: info@bqati.com.pk
Web: www.bqati.com.pk