Textile supplies have been hit hard due to the heavy involvement of goods transporters with the Nato supplies. The industry sources said that an acute shortage of goods transport between the port city and the upcountry had resulted in 100% increase in transport charges, causing cumbersome pressure on cost of doing business.

Chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Punjab, Gohar Ejaz said the transport shortage was becoming bigger problem than energy shortage. It is interesting to note that the charges for transportation of a container from upcountry to the port is costing Rs 70,000 ($900) as against Rs 32,000 ($400) for the shipping of the same from Karachi to Hong Kong.

 The textile circles said the textile millers were not relying on railways' facility as a carrier of logistic. The present increase in oil prices by the government has multiplied the woes of the textile industry. The transporters would add further to their charges, which would be a blow to the cost of doing business.