logo
No cargo movement since Apr 19th: Aptma appeals to PM for highways clearance

No cargo movement since Apr 19th: Aptma appeals to PM for highways clearance

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has issued an urgent call for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's intervention to clear highways and restore cargo movement for import and export consignments, suspended since April 19, 2025.
In a press conference, Aptma Chairman Kamran Arshad stressed the gravity of the situation, revealing that more than 25,000 export containers remain stranded across Sindh, unable to reach ports due to widespread cargo disruptions. In addition, around 50,000 containers carrying imported goods, raw materials, and other essential supplies are stuck due to extensive road blockages in the province.
Arshad warned that even if routes were reopened immediately, clearing the current backlog could take up to 25 days — delaying critical exports and manufacturing inputs. 'This is nothing short of a national crisis and demands urgent action,' he asserted.
He emphasized that the disrupted supply chain is wreaking havoc on industrial operations, threatening export commitments, slashing production, and potentially causing economic losses running into hundreds of millions of dollars.
'This crisis is severely damaging Pakistan's credibility in international markets and poses a major threat to the economy,' Arshad said, appealing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for immediate personal intervention.
Arshad also highlighted structural issues with the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS), noting a damaging imbalance: while imports continue to receive duty- and tax-free treatment, sales tax exemptions on local supplies have been withdrawn. This, he said, has critically undermined the domestic textile industry.
'The spinning industry and cotton farming are especially hard-hit,' he explained, disclosing that around 120 spinning mills—responsible for 20–25% of total yarn production—along with more than 800 ginning factories, have already shut down. Many of the remaining mills are operating at just 50% capacity and face imminent closure.
'If this continues, local cotton will find no buyers, rendering cotton farmers destitute and causing massive job losses,' he warned.
Arshad further cautioned that the policy disparity is forcing exporters to rely on imported raw materials, thereby weakening domestic industries and straining rural economies. The consequences, he said, extend beyond the textile sector and threaten the livelihoods of millions.
APTMA called on the government to restore the EFS to its June 30, 2024 status by reinstating zero-rating/sales tax exemptions on local supplies. Alternatively, the association suggested imposing equal taxation on imports to create a level playing field. Arshad also urged the exclusion of yarn and cloth imports under the EFS to protect local producers.
Speaking at the press conference, Aptma Chairman-North Asad Shafi added that numerous export orders have been cancelled due to the logistical paralysis in Sindh. He warned that international buyers are turning to alternative suppliers, risking long-term loss of business.
'If this situation persists, Pakistan faces the real danger of deindustrialization and a significant decline in export revenues,' Shafi stated, calling for urgent remedial measures.
Leading exporters—including Ahmad Shafi, Anjum Zafar, Ali Ahsan, and Ahsan Shahid—echoed these concerns. They warned that the suspension of cargo movement has already inflicted severe damage on export operations and could result in irreversible economic loss if not addressed immediately.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

K-P to unveil Rs2tr tax-free budget
K-P to unveil Rs2tr tax-free budget

Express Tribune

time3 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

K-P to unveil Rs2tr tax-free budget

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is set to present a Rs2,000 billion budget tomorrow, with over Rs1,800 billion allocated for current expenditures. The budget will show a surplus of Rs180 billion and will not introduce any new taxes. However, the scope and rate of existing taxes will be expanded. A total of Rs433 billion has been earmarked for development projects, including funds for the development of the newly merged tribal districts. The government will also announce the imposition of an "education emergency" in the new fiscal year. Under this initiative, furniture will be provided to 100 per cent of public schools. To boost its own revenues, the province has set a 40 per cent higher target for provincial tax collection compared to the current fiscal year. The new budget includes the establishment of four additional cardiac centers in addition to the existing ones, as well as special funds for the merged districts. Measures to support the province's vulnerable, marginalized, and low-income populations are also part of the budget. Funding has been allocated for key infrastructure and welfare projects including the Peshawar-DI Khan Motorway, a new electricity transmission line, the establishment of an insurance company, and the Chashma Right Bank Canal. Safe City projects in Peshawar, Bannu, and DI Khan will receive financial support, and the education budget is being increased by 13 per cent. The monthly honorarium for artists will also be raised from Rs100,000 to Rs150,000. A significant portion of the development budget will focus on completing ongoing projects. Priority will be given to projects that are 80 per cent or more complete, followed by those with 60 per cent completion. The number of new development projects has been capped at 500, with Rs195 billion to be immediately released, and up to Rs250 billion allocated as needed. For the first time, a special committee will be formed to approve projects based on priority and necessity. The budget will continue to prioritize the education, health, and social welfare sectors. Additionally, the 13-year throw-forward period for the Annual Development Program (ADP) will be reduced to seven years. A safari park is also planned for Misri Banda in Nowshera as part of the new fiscal year's initiatives. The federal government is set to allocate a total of Rs1,342.78 billion to K-P from the divisible pool for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, which will raise the province's overall budget to approximately Rs2,000 billion. For the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25, the federal government was expected to provide Rs1,221.53 billion. However, according to revised estimates, the actual amount transferred to the province stood at Rs1,135.66 billion by the end of the fiscal year. In the upcoming fiscal year, the merged tribal districts will receive a Rs40 billion subsidy in the energy sector. This is a reduction from Rs65 billion allocated during the current fiscal year. Additionally, the federal government will provide Rs80 billion in special grants to these merged districts — an increase from Rs66 billion allocated in the current year. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the merged tribal areas will be allocated Rs65.44 billion, compared to Rs70 billion in the current fiscal year.

Minimum wage to remain unchanged at Rs37,000 in FY26, says Aurangzeb
Minimum wage to remain unchanged at Rs37,000 in FY26, says Aurangzeb

Business Recorder

time10 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Minimum wage to remain unchanged at Rs37,000 in FY26, says Aurangzeb

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday said the government hadn't increased the minimum wage in the budget for the financial year 2025-26 and it would remain at Rs37,000 per month. The finance minister didn't mention about the minimum wage in his budget speech on Tuesday, as he announced Pakistan's federal budget 2025-26 'for a competitive economy' on Tuesday, targeting a modest 4.2% growth for the coming fiscal year, compared to 2.7% expected in the outgoing FY25. The budget was announced with a total outlay of Rs17.6 trillion, down 7% or Rs1.3 trillion as compared to the Rs18.9 trillion budgeted outlay of FY25. Key highlights of Pakistan budget for 2025-26 Last year, the government increased the minimum per month wage to Rs37,000 from previously Rs32,000. However, the government has kept it unchanged this year. This comes despite a demand from a key ally of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) led government, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) to increase the minimum wage to Rs50,000.

PM Shehbaz to visit UAE for high-level talks on June 12
PM Shehbaz to visit UAE for high-level talks on June 12

Express Tribune

time11 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

PM Shehbaz to visit UAE for high-level talks on June 12

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Istanbul airport on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Photo: PID Listen to article Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, 12 June 2025. The visit highlights the deep-rooted fraternal relations between Pakistan and the UAE, built on mutual trust, shared values, and close cooperation in multiple sectors. The prime minister will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, and other senior officials. Read: PM Shehbaz 'ready for talks' with India on water, trade During the visit, Shehbaz will hold high-level engagements with the UAE leadership, including a bilateral meeting with the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to the Foreign Office, a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest and concern will be discussed during the interactions. Read More: Pakistan, Azerbaijan reaffirm commitment to strategic partnership The visit aims to further deepen economic cooperation, strengthen political understanding, and foster multifaceted collaboration across sectors including trade, investment, energy, and labour. In a statement, the Foreign Office said the visit is a manifestation of Pakistan's and the UAE's shared commitment to enhancing their strategic partnership. Both sides are expected to explore new avenues for collaboration, while reinforcing their long-standing cordial ties. Shehbaz also held telephone conversations with several world leaders on the occasion of Eidul Azha. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to regional peace, unity within the Muslim Ummah, and stronger bilateral cooperation. The discussions served to extend festive greetings and promote shared values of solidarity and mutual respect among nations. Read More: Islamabad, Riyadh to further elevate strategic ties Earlier, Shehbaz undertook a two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit coincided with Eidul Azha and aimed to express Pakistan's appreciation for the Kingdom's constructive role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India during their recent conflict. The prime minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior ministers and officials, reflecting the importance Islamabad placed on the visit. In May, Shehbaz Sharif concluded a six-day tour of Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan. That tour was undertaken to consolidate regional ties and personally thank the leadership of those nations for their support during the crisis with India. Read More: Shehbaz, Erdogan vow to elevate 'strategic' ties The trip concluded in Tajikistan, where the prime minister participated in the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, reiterating Pakistan's commitment to regional cooperation on climate issues. Both diplomatic engagements were described by the Foreign Office as part of Pakistan's broader effort to bolster strategic partnerships, strengthen economic relations, and reinforce solidarity within the region.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store