AS controversy over the new canals continues to rage, traders across the country have begun raising the alarm over economic contagion from the crisis. With protesters blockading key nodes in the logistics routes between Sindh and Punjab, hundreds of goods trucks and fuel tankers have been stranded on the roads for days, with reports suggesting that the lines ‘stretch for miles’ in some areas. “The entire supply chain is paralysed,” according to the KCCI president. “The situation is not only hurting businesses and industries but also jeopardising employment and trade” — a concern shared by trade leaders in other parts of the country as well. Exporters of perishable items are in a particularly vulnerable position, with their goods at risk of spoiling on the roads before they can reach the ports. Others are worried that foreign buyers may cancel their orders due to the delays. Meanwhile, the Oil Companies Advisory Council has warned of potential fuel shortages upcountry if the situation is not addressed.

As goods movement both north and south remains suspended, a wide range of industries and enterprises are facing disruptions and unnecessary financial losses due to what is essentially a political failure. While the federal government and the PPP have recently agreed to collaborate on addressing Sindh’s concerns over the proposed canals, many businesses engaged in commerce and international trade may not be able to wait out a lengthy negotiation process. It is imperative, therefore, for the federal government to take immediate steps to reassure protesters that their concerns have been heard and will be justly and promptly addressed. Likewise, the Sindh government, if it is satisfied with the steps being taken at the federal level, must play its part in pacifying the protesters and ensuring that the blockades can be removed quickly and peacefully, without further confrontation. The suspension of the goods traffic will eventually start hurting ordinary people. It is crucial, therefore, for decision-makers to move quickly.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2025