Supply of Nato military vehicles again came to a halt from Karachi port due to the continued strike by goods carriers, as transportation of in-and-out cargoes at the country's largest port has ceased since December 6, sources said on Saturday. "There is no movement of cargoes coming or going out from Karachi port since last Thursday," sources said, adding that the harbour's east wharf wore a deserted look for lack of transportation.

The transporters gave a call for an indefinite strike to press the government for their demands. Exporters also expressed the fear that their shipments could be delayed to the world market for lack of transport. The supply of coal clinker has been however already suspended since December 4, they said.

Goods transporters went on strike on December 4 to protest inaction against the criminals who continue to hijack loaded trucks on highways, besides the bad attitude of the motorway police, President Karachi Goods Carrier Association (KGCA), Khalid Khan said. Exporters fear huge financial loss due to delays in shipment to global markets. They said a large number of exporters are now likely to fail to export their cargoes because of the transporters' strike.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012