Fertilizer supply disrupted nationwide

Pakistan’s economic activities remained suspended on Wednesday as a week-long blockade on the National Highway in Sindh crippled commercial transport and paralyzed the supply chain across the country.

The protests were triggered by the federal government’s controversial plan to construct six new canals from the Indus River, a move strongly opposed by locals. The blockade near Sukkur and Khairpur left over 3500 vehicles stranded, including export containers, fuel tankers, and trucks carrying perishable items. This caused major disruption in the supply chain from Karachi’s ports to the rest of the country.

Trade and business organisations raised alarms over the growing impact. The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), United Business Group (UBG), and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) all appealed for immediate government action. They warned that ongoing delays would damage Pakistan’s export reliability and hurt foreign investor confidence.

OICCI noted that essential trade flows had been fractured and warned of serious financial losses. UBG’s Khalid Tawab urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene quickly, pointing out that more than 800 fuel tankers were stuck, potentially leading to fuel shortages in northern Pakistan.

KCCI President Jawed Bilwani said that the national supply chain was almost paralyzed, with major hold-ups at Rohri and Ali Wahan. He stressed that continued delays would hurt Pakistan’s global trade credibility and called for immediate talks with the protestors.

Businesses fear that if the issue is not resolved soon, it could lead to large-scale economic losses, missed export deadlines, and fuel supply disruptions across the country. The business community is urging federal and provincial governments to take swift action and restore normal trade operations.