The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has called on the government, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, port authorities and terminal operators to provide immediate financial relief to businesses affected by the ongoing nationwide transporters’ strike. The business body has demanded a complete exemption from demurrage and detention charges on containers stranded at ports as the transporters’ wheel jam strike enters its tenth day and continues to disrupt freight movement across the country.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed serious concern over the impact of the prolonged strike on Pakistan’s trade and industrial activity. According to the business body, freight forwarding operations at ports have come close to a standstill, leaving imported goods stranded and creating significant difficulties for exporters attempting to meet delivery commitments. With transport services disrupted for an extended period, businesses are facing growing financial pressure in addition to operational challenges.
The disruption at ports is also affecting the availability of raw materials required by industrial units. Sheikh said shortages caused by the inability to move imported materials from ports are forcing factories and other industrial businesses to substantially reduce their operations or suspend production altogether. The situation has created additional pressure on manufacturers already dependent on regular movement of imported inputs to maintain production schedules.
The FPCCI president said traders and industrialists are facing substantial financial losses as containers remain held at ports and continue to accumulate demurrage and detention charges. These costs are being incurred despite businesses having limited control over the disruption caused by the transporters’ strike. The business community has therefore called for the charges to be waived to prevent further financial losses for companies affected by the supply chain disruption.
The ongoing strike is also creating difficulties for exporters. With transportation services restricted, businesses are struggling to move export consignments within agreed timelines. Sheikh warned that missed export deadlines could affect the credibility of Pakistani exporters and damage the country’s commercial reputation in international markets. Delays in fulfilling orders can create additional costs for businesses and may also affect relationships with overseas buyers.
FPCCI described the situation as a rapidly expanding economic impediment affecting a broad range of stakeholders, including importers, exporters, traders, manufacturers and consumers. The business body has urged the government to recognise the seriousness of the disruption and take concrete measures to address the grievances raised by transporters.
Sheikh called for an immediate resolution of the transporters’ concerns and urged the relevant authorities to restore normal movement of goods without further delay. He stressed that continued disruption could result in further economic losses if supply chains remain blocked and businesses are unable to access essential materials or move finished goods.
The demand for a complete exemption from demurrage and detention charges is aimed at reducing the financial burden on businesses whose containers have remained stranded during the strike. FPCCI has called on port authorities and terminal operators to consider the exceptional circumstances faced by importers and exporters and provide relief while the transport disruption continues.
The transporters’ wheel jam strike has placed additional pressure on Pakistan’s supply chains at a time when businesses depend on uninterrupted movement of goods between ports, industrial facilities, warehouses and markets. A prolonged interruption can affect production schedules, export shipments and the availability of goods across different sectors.
FPCCI has consequently stressed that restoring the country’s supply chain should be treated as an urgent priority. The business body has called for coordinated action by the government and relevant authorities to resolve the transporters’ grievances, restore freight movement and prevent the disruption from causing further losses to the national economy.
According to FPCCI, swift action is required to resume normal economic activity and prevent the port disruption from developing into a wider supply chain crisis. The business community is seeking both a resolution to the strike and immediate financial relief for companies facing mounting charges on containers that remain stranded because of the transport disruption.
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