ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s textile industry, a key driver of the country’s exports, is facing a fresh challenge as a nationwide goods transport strike threatens to disrupt the supply of raw materials and shipment of export consignments.
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has urged the government to take immediate action, warning that prolonged disruption could affect cotton availability, mill operations and foreign exchange earnings.
In a letter to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Aptma highlighted concerns over the indefinite strike announced by the All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad from August 8, stating that the disruption has created serious difficulties for the textile sector.
Aptma Chairman Kamran Arshad said export containers, imported cotton consignments and trucks required for transporting locally procured cotton were not available due to the strike. The association said the situation was directly affecting export shipments, movement of imported cotton from ports and transportation of local cotton from markets to textile mills.
The association warned that cotton stocks at mills were already at a low level due to the end-of-season cycle. Any prolonged delay in the movement of imported and local cotton could disrupt production, impact exports, affect employment and reduce the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Aptma noted that similar disruptions in the past had resulted in delays in export shipments, financial losses and interruptions in mill operations.
“Disruption of cargo movement has serious consequences for industry and exports,” the association said, urging the government to intervene immediately and resolve the transporters’ strike.
The association also requested the Communications Ministry to ensure the priority movement of export cargo, imported raw materials and locally purchased cotton to prevent further disruption to industrial activities.
Pakistan’s textile sector remains one of the country’s largest export-oriented industries, and any prolonged interruption in the supply chain could add further pressure on manufacturers and exporters. Aptma stressed the need for immediate measures to restore smooth cargo movement until the transport dispute is resolved.
