KARACHI: Goods transporters in Pakistan on Wednesday ended a 10-day nationwide strike after talks with the government, traders said, easing a disruption that had paralysed supply chains across the country.
The strike had halted the movement of factory goods, agricultural produce and export consignments for more than a week, raising fears of shortages and export delays.
Local media reported the Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance called off the strike after federal and provincial authorities accepted its demands and signed a settlement agreement.
“The transporters’ strike has been officially called off,” Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Rehan Hanif said in a video message. He thanked the government and transporters for negotiations he said were conducted with patience and goodwill.
Hanif warned of a major logistical backlog. He said a 10-day accumulation of cargo would take time to clear due to a shortage of trucks.
He urged transporters to avoid charging arbitrary freight rates. Hanif said they should continue operating at existing rates in the interest of the wider economy and the business community.
Hanif also called on the government to provide relief on additional costs incurred during the disruption. He urged authorities to waive demurrage and detention charges at ports imposed while cargo movement remained suspended.
Transporters launched the strike to protest steep fines for alleged violations. They also opposed enforcement actions linked to axle-load limits by customs and police authorities.
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The transporters had further raised concerns over container theft and the lack of parking facilities in the Karachi Port Trust area.
