‘Road blockades in Punjab a threat to national economy’

FAISALABAD: Senior politician and former federal parliamentary secretary Rana Zahid Tauseef has expressed grave concern over road blockades in Punjab, which he termed a significant threat to the national economy.

Talking to newsmen here, he stated that these closures had disrupted the supply of raw materials to factories, while the workers were unable to reach their workplaces, further worsening the industrial situation.

Highlighting the issue, he noted that the closure of Sheikhupura Road Toll Plaza had prevented export containers from leaving factories, causing finished goods to remain stuck, creating anxiety among the mill owners. He warned that if the situation persisted, Pakistan’s leading revenue-generating textile industry, which employed millions, might face closure.

Rana Zahid Tauseef added that delays in product deliveries could drive the foreign buyers to turn to other markets, severely impacting the national economy. He stressed that the country, amidst its fragile economic conditions, could not afford protests or violence. Emphasising the growing challenges of poverty, unemployment and inflation due to political instability, he urged the government and opposition to set aside their differences and adopt dialogue for the national stability.