MULTAN: Exporters and importers of South Punjab suffered heavy loss in three days due to countrywide protests after the Supreme Court of Pakistan verdict acquitted Asia Bibi in blasphemy case
Sources told Customs Today that Multan Dry Port activities were almost halted due to violent protests from religious group and main roads were closed for traffic due to their sit-in.
Sources told that Multan Dry Port authorities has cleared all import and export shipments timely but transporters and owners of shipments refused to en-route due to closure of roads after violent protests.
Business activities at the ports were almost suspended and shipments stuck at different places in the country. Multan Dry Port also wears deserted look to due suspension of business activities in the country.
Fuel shortage was also appeared due to scarce supply in the various cities and it halted due to safety adopted by transporters after violence in protests.
The activities in the vegetable markets and Ghala Markets were also came down a half for the three days due to nationwide protest and supply of goods were almost suspended due to law in order situation.
Supply of medicines were disturbed due to the closure of medicine markets and all major markets were closed by some violent protesters. Bank witnesses fewer transactions due closure of business activities in the cities.
Protesters occupied to the streets and blocked main roads of Highways in different cities of South Punjab including Multan causing gridlock.
Even the local cargo service and Goods transport were almost suspended due to security concerns after the countrywide protest against the Supreme Court verdict in Asia Bibi blasphemy case. The protest in the country caused unnecessary delay in the delivery of import and export shipments which affected business activities in the whole South Punjab.
Major cities of South Punjab were almost paralyzed due to violent protests and caused more than Rs3 billion losses to business community of Multan.
The business activities in South Punjab have been restored to some extent after agreement between government and protesters.