Goods Transporters’ Strike Disrupts Rice Exports and Other Key Commodities

Karachi:The ongoing **goods transporters’ strike** has severely disrupted Pakistan’s **exports**, with **rice exports** particularly hit. As of the **fifth day of the strike**, **over $2 million** worth of rice could not be exported, and shipments of **potatoes**, **onions**, **pulp**, and **juices** have also been halted, affecting more than **100 containers**.

The strike has resulted in **significant delays** in the transportation of various **essential goods**, with **exporters** facing **financial losses** running into **millions of dollars**. The **Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association**’s Senior Patron, **Waheed Ahmed**, expressed concern that perishable goods, such as **potatoes** and **onions**, are particularly vulnerable to spoilage due to the lack of transportation. He added that over **100 containers** of goods, including **pulp** and **juices**, are stuck at ports, and exports worth **$30 million** are at risk.

In addition to fresh produce, **rice exporters** are facing massive setbacks. According to **Rafiq Suleman**, former chairman of the **Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan** and current convener of the **FPCCI Standing Committee on Rice**, the **goods transporters’ strike** has halted **rice exports**, with **shipments stuck** at ports and warehouses. He mentioned that Pakistan exports approximately **$4 million** worth of rice per day, amounting to **PKR 1.12 billion** daily. As a result, the total loss so far stands at **PKR 6 billion**.

Rafiq Suleman has urged **Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif** and **Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal Khan** to intervene urgently and resolve the strike by addressing the transporters’ demands to prevent further economic losses.

**Key Points:**
– **$2 million worth of rice exports** have been delayed.
– **Perishable goods**, such as **potatoes** and **onions**, are at risk of spoiling due to the strike.
– **100+ containers** of goods are stuck at ports.
– Total export losses could exceed **PKR 6 billion**.
– Exporters are urging government intervention to end the strike and resume shipments.

The strike has put immense pressure on the export sector, and stakeholders are calling for an immediate resolution to avoid further financial damage.