AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, December 12, 2012 (PPI-OT): In a press release Mr. Usman Ahmed, Senior Vice Chairman of Pakistan Soap Manufacturers (PSMA) has expressed serious concerns over strike by Goods Transporters. The 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 as well finished product dispatches to various markets within Pakistan. Even the valuable export- oriented Textile Sector is adversely affected as export orders worth millions of dollars could not be sent to Karachi/Port Qasim port.
Senior Vice Chairman PSMA 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.
He 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, thousands of industrial workers, particularly the daily wages would face retrenchment.
He urged the government to save industries. Further, 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 on-going strike so that business activities could be started without any further delays. The strike is not only creating shortages but also creating a severe law and order problem for Karachiites especially near Mari Pur Road and Port Qasim Road.
Mr. Usman Ahmed also 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:
Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association
Mr. Syed Ejaz Ahmed (Secretary )
Pakistan Soap Manufacturers Association Room no. 148,
Sunny Plaza, 1st floor, Hasrat Mohani Road,
Off I.I. Chundrigar Road Karachi
Tel: +92 (0) 21 263 4648
Fax: +92 (0) 21 221 8937
Email: pakistansma@yahoo.com