The All Pakistan Transport Federation, Inter-City Transport Union, Inter-District Transport Union, Goods Transport, and pickup-and-drop unions for students and government employees have announced a complete strike on Friday, Dec. 19, to protest heavy traffic fines, challans, vehicle impoundments and alleged harassment.
Transport federation leaders warned that goods and public transport from Khyber to Karachi would come to a standstill on Dec. 19. They maintained that bus, wagon and rail services, intra-city transport, markets, shopping areas, business centers, industrial units, factories, the banking sector, petrol pumps, government offices, educational institutions, wholesale markets, supply chains and goods transport would all remain closed.
The strike, they warned, would continue until the new traffic challan and fine system is withdrawn.
All-Pakistan Transport Federation Vice President Asif Khan, along with spokespersons Lala Suhail and Tariq Khan said the government had failed to fulfil its promises and their organizations had decided to move toward a complete wheel-jam strike in consultation with other sectors. “On Dec. 19, Pakistan will be shut—completely shut,” they claimed.
Seeking intervention
In a statement reacting to the strike call, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Rehan Hanif voiced alarm, warning it would push the country toward an unprecedented trade and industrial crisis. He noted that import and export consignments were already stranded across ports, highways, and industrial zones, adding if the situation persisted, the consequences for businesses, manufacturing, and national revenue could be severe, long lasting, and extremely costly.
According to Hanif, the halt in transportation has effectively shut down the movement of raw materials to factories and the dispatch of finished goods to domestic and international markets. He warned that a prolonged disruption could cause irreversible damage to Pakistan’s supply chains, severely undermine export commitments, and weaken the country’s credibility in global markets.
He said exporters are already facing cancellations, demurrage, detention charges, and production losses, while industries dependent on continuous inbound supplies, particularly textiles, food, pharmaceuticals, and essential commodities, are beginning to shut operations. “Pakistan’s economy is already under immense pressure due to high costs, weak demand, and liquidity constraints. At a time when every dollar matters, we simply cannot afford a total blockade of goods movement,” he said, urging the federal and provincial governments to find a practical, mutually acceptable solution with transporter associations. “This is not a routine issue. It is a national emergency for trade, industry, and the survival of businesses. Swift and decisive negotiations are the only way to prevent a full-scale economic breakdown,” he warned.
The KCCI president claimed the strike had already placed Pakistan’s import and export system in a state of paralysis, causing severe congestion at ports and leaving thousands of containers stranded. He feared the cumulative financial losses could run into billions, while Pakistan’s exporters, who compete globally and operate on tight delivery schedules, would be the hardest hit.
Hanif emphasized that the global trading ecosystem functions on reliability, consistency, and timely delivery. Any interruption, especially of this magnitude, compromises Pakistan’s standing with international buyers and logistics networks. “The business community is extremely concerned. Manufacturing units are shutting down, exporters cannot dispatch consignments, importers are unable to clear their cargo, and industries across the value chain are grinding to a halt. This situation is unsustainable and demands immediate government action,” he reiterated.
Emphasizing the need for the government to treat the matter as a top priority, he said Karachi Chamber stands ready to facilitate discussions if required, as restoring the uninterrupted flow of cargo is essential for stabilizing the economy and protecting millions of livelihoods linked to the industrial and commercial sectors.