Key points
- Prolonged road closures disrupt intercity supply chains and industrial logistics
- FBR estimates over Rs6 billion in lost revenue during the four days
- Daily wage earners and small traders, among the hardest hit
- Prices of perishable goods surge by up to 40 per cent in major cities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s economy suffered losses exceeding Rs30 billion (over $100 million) during a four-day nationwide transport blockade that halted trade, disrupted supply chains, and caused a spike in commodity prices, according to preliminary assessments by trade bodies and government departments.
The disruptions — which commenced after a call for nationwide protests that led to the blockade of the GT Road, key interprovincial motorways and highways, and entry points to large urban centres — crippled intercity freight movement, halted industrial supply chains, and prevented millions of commuters from reaching their workplaces.
Officials at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), speaking on condition of anonymity to Dawn and The News, indicated that the country likely lost over Rs 6 billion (approx $21m) in tax revenue during this period, mainly due to the shutdown of fuel supplies, freight operations, and diminished retail activity. They added that customs and withholding tax collections declined sharply as ports operated at limited capacity and transportation of goods from Karachi to upcountry industrial hubs remained halted.
The All Pakistan Traders Association (APTA) estimated that markets in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Jhelum remained nearly entirely closed for three consecutive days, reopening only partially by late Monday. “Wholesale markets for perishables and staples such as fruits, vegetables, and wheat flour reported up to 40 per cent price hikes due to supply shortages,” an APTA official told The Express Tribune.
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) stated that intercity shipments of textiles, leather goods, and food exports were delayed by an average of 72 hours, resulting in logistical penalties and container storage costs, which will further enhance the exporters’ expenses. A KCCI spokesperson told Business Recorder that the disruption “erased much of the efficiency achieved through the recent port automation and risk management reforms.”
Transport and logistics associations in Punjab reported that daily wage workers and drivers bore the heaviest burden. According to the Punjab Goods Transporters Association, nearly 200,000 truck drivers and loaders were unable to work for four days, resulting in an estimated income loss of Rs 2.4 billion (approximately $8.6m).
Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association noted that over 25 per cent of perishable consignments destined for local and export markets were spoiled due to delays. In Lahore’s Badami Bagh and Sabzi Mandi, traders told Geo News that the prices of tomatoes and onions doubled over the weekend.
Economic analysts stated that the overall impact — which includes lost tax revenue, industrial downtime, transport losses, and retail stagnation — could exceed Rs 30–35 billion, especially when considering indirect effects such as delayed exports and spoilage of raw materials.
A senior official in the Planning Ministry, quoted by Dawn, mentioned that the government was evaluating the event’s impact through the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), which monitors commodity shortages and inflation trends. The official indicated that a temporary increase in food prices and transportation costs is expected to influence next month’s inflation figures.
Economists warned that repeated disruptions on this scale undermine investor confidence and weaken efforts to stabilise post-SBP policy gains. “Four days of economic stoppage neutralise much of the fiscal discipline achieved through recent tax measures,” said independent economist Abid Qaiyum Suleri in comments to The News.
The situation began to return to normal on Monday afternoon as the Motorways (M-1,M-2, and M-3) were cleared and markets gradually reopened. Authorities stated that transport operations have resumed, although backlogs in cargo movement could take several days to be fully resolved.
