Karachi Business Leaders Warn of Economic Halt Amid Transport Strike

Karachi's economy faces a crisis as a cargo transport strike enters day nine, halting goods movement and threatening production. Business organizations urge governmental intervention to alleviate the strike's impact on industry and supply chains. The disruption, triggered by new transport regulations, poses risks to Pakistan's industrial reputation and labor market.

In Karachi, business leaders have raised alarms, warning that economic activities across the city and province could grind to a halt due to a transporters' strike now in its ninth day. The ongoing strike has thrown the movement of goods into chaos, threatening local production with an indefinite standstill.

According to reports by Dawn, various business organizations urgently appealed to the Sindh government for intervention. Abdul Aleem, Secretary General of the Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), emphasized the critical national implications for trade and industry. Sheikh Umer Rehan of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association described significant disruptions in supplies of essential consumer goods such as edible oil and ghee.

The strike began following the implementation of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 2025 on December 8, which brought hiked fines and stricter penalties. Transport unions, voicing discontent over these unconsulted changes, declared a nationwide strike set for December 19. They demand amendments to avoid a prolonged halt in both goods and passenger transport.

(With inputs from agencies.)