AJK strike cripples wholesale trade in Pindi

RAWALPINDI:

The four-day-long strike in Azad Kashmir has paralysed wholesale trade in Rawalpindi, with road closures completely halting goods and public transport between the two regions.

As a result, supplies of essential food items to AJK have been suspended, while prices of chicken and vegetables in Rawalpindi have dropped due to reduced demand.

On September 28, all goods transport to AJK was suspended following a call for the strike by the Awami Action Committee, leaving transport hubs deserted.

For over 300 years, Rawalpindi's wholesale markets have served as the main supply source for the entire AJK region, delivering pulses, rice, vegetables, fruit, poultry, sugar, wheat, and flour.

The strike has devastated this supply chain.

Goods Transport Welfare Union Secretary Faryad Sardar said nearly 100 transport vehicles, loaded with food and essential goods, have been stranded in AJK since September 27-28, with drivers and helpers facing food shortages.

Around 250 more vehicles remain idle in Rawalpindi, unable to deliver booked consignments due to roadblocks.

Many perishable items inside the parked trucks are rotting.

Public transport has also been at a standstill for four days.