Goods, oil transporters’ strike threatens industry, exports

Pakistan's transport sector is paralyzed. More than four hundred thousand goods-carrying and oil tanker vehicles have stopped moving nationwide as transporters strike over fuel pricing, withholding taxes, and toll policies. Nisar Hussain Jafry, chairman of the Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, tells Dawn the strike will continue until Monday negotiations with government ministries yield results—specifically, a return to monthly fuel price mechanisms and a reduction in withholding taxes from seven percent to two percent. Manufacturers warn that any prolonged disruption could cripple industrial production; without steady supplies of raw materials, factories stall, and without timely exports, producers face contractual penalties and potential collapse. Monday's talks will determine whether supply chains can resume.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton