SCCI concerned over closure of highways in Sindh

PESHAWAR: Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the prolonged closure of highways and trade routes due to ongoing protest by people in Sindh province.

In a statement, Fazal Moqeem Khan, president of the chamber, urged the government and relevant authorities to resolve issues through table talks and under constitutional and legal framework.

The SCCI chief hailed the federal government for holding a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to discuss the issue and formation of a technical committee in this regard.Moqeem said the ongoing road blockades have brought critical supply chains to a halt, stranding thousands of trucks and containers and delaying essential goods, particularly export consignments.

“The closures have also disrupted the supply of fresh vegetables, fruits, and essential commodities to urban centres, triggering shortages and price hikes,” he added.Similarly, he said heavy demurrage charges, spoilage of perishable items, cancellation of export orders, and port congestion were inflicting serious financial losses daily. “Our exporters, already grappling with tough global competition, now face shipment penalties, risking Pakistan’s trade credibility on the international stage,” Moqeem said.

The SCCI chief said factories and industries have been forced to halt production due to interruptions in the supply of inputs and workers being unable to reach workplaces, exacerbating the industrial slowdown and employment instability.Moqeem demanded the government and all stakeholders to resolve the issue through holding dialogue with demonstrators.