ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s textile industry has called on the government to immediately resolve the indefinite goods transport strike, warning that continued disruptions could delay exports, interrupt cotton supplies and affect industrial production.
In a letter to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) said the nationwide strike by the All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad, which began on August 8, has severely affected the movement of export consignments and raw materials.
APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad said export containers, imported cotton shipments and trucks transporting locally procured cotton have become unavailable due to the strike, creating operational challenges for textile manufacturers.
Export Shipments and Cotton Supplies Face Disruptions
According to APTMA, the transport disruption has affected the movement of textile exports, imported cotton from ports and locally sourced cotton from markets to mills across the country.
The association warned that textile mills are already operating with limited cotton stocks at the close of the season. Any prolonged interruption in the supply chain could disrupt production schedules, delay export orders and increase pressure on the country’s export-oriented textile industry.
APTMA also cautioned that extended disruptions could negatively impact employment and foreign exchange earnings generated by textile exports.
APTMA Calls for Immediate Government Intervention
The association said similar transport disruptions in the past resulted in delayed export shipments, financial losses and interruptions in industrial operations.
It urged the government to intervene immediately to resolve the transporters’ strike and ensure the uninterrupted movement of export cargo, imported raw materials and locally procured cotton until the dispute is settled.
Pakistan’s textile sector remains the country’s largest export industry, making the timely transportation of raw materials and finished products critical for maintaining export commitments and industrial output.