KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the government to address the ongoing road blockades near Babarloi town in Khairpur district, expressing concern over the disruption of trade due to a sit-in protest. The blockade on the National Highway has halted vehicular movement, affecting the transportation of goods across Sindh and beyond.

Jawed Bilwani, President of KCCI, highlighted that while the constitutional right to protest must be respected, the prolonged blockades have caused significant losses to the business community. He noted that key trade routes for cargo and exports have been paralyzed, particularly affecting time-sensitive shipments of perishable goods.

Bilwani pointed out that the road closures have stranded containers and commercial vehicles at strategic locations like Rohri and Ali Wahan, disrupting internal commerce and threatening Pakistan's export commitments. The credibility of the country in global markets is at risk, he added.

While acknowledging the protesters' concerns, Bilwani emphasized the government's responsibility to prevent economic activity from halting entirely. The current situation, he warned, is harming businesses and employment during a time of economic challenge for the nation.

He called on both Federal and Provincial Governments to engage in dialogue with protesting leaders, restore traffic on the highway, and safeguard the movement of goods and exports to prevent further economic damage. Bilwani concluded with an appeal for an immediate resolution to protect the economy and public welfare.

The sit-in, organized by the Karachi Bar Association and supported by the Sindh High Court Bar Association, along with nationalist groups and civil society, protests against the federal government's plan to construct six new canals from the Indus River.