Karachi: The recent rains in Karachi have severely impacted industrial activities in the Korangi Industrial Area, with around 30 percent of production and export operations disrupted, according to Junaid Naqi, President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).

Naqi highlighted that the closure of the EBM Causeway and the overflowing Korangi River have blocked key entry and exit routes to the industrial zone, leaving the Jam Sadiq Bridge as the sole access point. The bridge itself has been plagued by hours-long traffic jams during rain, further hindering industrial movement.

"This is a recurring issue," Naqi said. "Each time it rains, industrial activity suffers, causing delays in exports." He noted that road closures and safety concerns have prevented more than half of the workers from reaching factories, leading to closures of nearly half of the factories and a production decline of 25 to 30 percent.

The disruption has resulted in delays in export orders and shipment schedules, risking valuable foreign exchange earnings. Naqi warned that the situation not only hampers production but also threatens Pakistan’s economic stability, as industries in Korangi play a crucial role in the country's exports.

He pointed out that longstanding infrastructure deficiencies, such as pending projects for an alternate road and an overhead bridge on the Korangi Causeway and Main Korangi Road, could have averted the crisis if completed on time. Naqi stressed the urgent need for upgrading the Jam Sadiq Bridge to ensure smooth traffic flow.

While he welcomed Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah's directive to open access routes to the Korangi Industrial Zone immediately, Naqi urged for swift implementation. "Karachi's industries are the backbone of Pakistan's economy. If the government does not act promptly, just a few days of rainfall can paralyze the country's largest commercial hub, with ripple effects across the national economy," he emphasized.