Sindh Blockades Threaten National Food Security

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has written a letter to the Sindh government, stressing ongoing road blockades over the proposed Cholistan canal project have severed the country’s fertilizer supply chain and halted industrial operations.

According to the letter, the country’s two major fertilizer producers—Fauji Fertilizer in Mirpur Mathelo and Engro Fertilizers in Daharki—are among the hardest hit, with their operations under significant strain. It has warned that the delay in urea shipments and raw material deliveries is compromising the supply of essential fertilizer to farmers during the crucial Kharif season.

Emphasizing that the issue isn’t restricted to Sindh and has become a national concern, it warned that both inbound and outbound logistics for the fertilizer industry have slowed dramatically, with limited on-site storage at plants adding to the pressure. If these challenges persist, it states, production slowdowns or temporary shutdowns could result in a shortfall in urea supply, disrupting farming activities across large areas.

Noting the Kharif season includes crops like cotton, sugarcane, and rice, it states these depend heavily on timely access to urea. Delays in distribution may cause lower yields, higher food prices, and added financial pressure on farmers whose economics have already deteriorated over the last year.

Beyond fertilizer, the letter notes that the broader economic fallout is mounting. Over 3,500 trucks loaded with export consignments, perishable goods, and critical industrial materials are stranded across northern Sindh, especially near Sukkur. With containers piling up and goods unable to reach their destinations, the supply chain is gridlocked, as raw materials are stranded at Karachi Port, raising fears of production delays for manufacturers. Exporters are missing delivery deadlines, it says, potentially weakening confidence among international partners and affecting future trade prospects.

The letter warns that unless immediate steps are taken by provincial and federal authorities to reopen road access and resume the flow of goods, the economic chokehold may deepen, adding stress to both agricultural productivity and industrial operations, potentially stalling and even reversing the positive momentum made by the country in curbing inflation and restoring national economic stability.