Anti-canals protests render Sindh-Punjab traffic closed

ISLAMABAD: The lingering protests against the construction of canals on Indus River have caused blockade of the main highway connecting Punjab and Sindh provinces, creating hurdles for exporters and importers, while the situation may also cause hurdles for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to achieve its monthly tax collection target.

For the last few days, the Sindh province protesters against the canals project have blocked the main highway connecting Punjab with Sindh province.

The long queues of cargo trucks and trailers both ways from Punjab to the Karachi port and from the Karachi port to the upcountry are stuck up from both sides. Miles-long queues of vehicles have reached to Pannu Aqil tehsil of Sukkur District, as there’s a total stoppage of movement of goods between the Karachi port and the upcountry.

Exporters are worried as they have limits to make shipments, while the upcountry industry is going to face shortage of raw materials in the coming days which might close the production activity. Besides, the FBR could face revenue shortage as with the closure of industries, there will be no tax collection on finished goods.