Chairman All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Ahsan Bashir has urged the government to intervene and resolve the ongoing strike of the goods transporters, seriously affecting supply chain and cash flows of industry. Thousands of containers of good meant for export or to be exported are lying stranded in result of the strike announced by the transporters since December 5, 2012.
Textile industry is export-oriented industry and the textile goods meant for export have been held stranded. Resultantly, the industry is unable to procure raw materials as the supply chain of the textile industry is highly under pressure. Also, textile goods meant for import and export are held up at the Karachi port with no clue as when the issue would be resolved.
The textile industry is already facing unprecedented energy crisis, as there is acute load shedding of electricity and gas. Over 30% production capacity has already become redundant and massive lay off is underway throughout Punjab.
The strike of goods transporters has crippled the industry, as large quantity of raw material as well as export goods are not delivered both inside and outside the country. Textile industry relies heavily on export orders during the Christmas season and a crisis like situation in this crucial hour is posing serious threat to the viability of the industry.
The industry is not able to meet commitments and the provincial and federal government besides the ministry concerned should intervene immediately and resolve the issue of transporters without further delay. He also demanded the Customs authority for waiving off demurrage of containers stranded at the port.