The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has urged the government to urgently resolve an indefinite goods transport strike, warning that prolonged disruption could affect exports, cotton supplies and mill operations.
In a letter to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Aptma Chairman Kamran Arshad said the All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad announced the strike starting August 8, causing a shortage of export containers, imported cotton containers and trucks for locally procured cotton.
Aptma stated that low seasonal cotton stocks at mills, combined with blocked imports and shipments, threaten production, employment and foreign exchange earnings. The association warned of past financial losses and shipment delays from similar disruptions.
The association urged immediate government intervention to facilitate priority movement of export cargo, imported raw materials and local cotton, requesting the Communications Ministry to ensure smooth cargo transport until the dispute ends.