Karachi: The industrial sector in Karachi was significantly affected on Wednesday when heavy rains and floods paralyzed the key industrial areas.
According to industry leaders, industrial production remained subjected since workers did not report duty due to security concerns and transport problems.
Faisal Moiz Khan, president of the Association of Commerce and Industry of Northern Karachi (Nkati), declared that almost half of the 4,500 industrial units in the area remained closed. The workers were reluctant to return after the torrential rains in the third week of August left several people stranded in factories late at night.
In addition, around 100-125 factories in the A a D sectors in the FB area, including export-oriented units, suffered damage to the flooded production facilities of the Swollen Lyari River, destroying raw materials and finished products for millions of rupees.
Moiz said that the overflow of the Thado dam had submerged the roads that led to the Super Highway, exacerbating the already fighter infrastructure of the city. “The city faces serious problems during the rains due to poor infrastructure,” he added. Nkati represents 70 percent of Karachi export -oriented industries.
Floods destroy raw materials, interrupt the supply chain
Ahmed Azeem Alvi, president of the Industry Sites Association (SAI), echoed similar concerns, informing that 60 % of workers in 3,500 factories did not inform work even though there were no significant road blockages. “The scarcity of workers has led to a reduction of 25-30 percent in production activities,” said Alvi, added that workers doubted their homes due to the fear of not being able to return if the rains worsened.
In the industrial area of Korangi, which houses more than 4,000 factories, production decreased by 30 percent due to a low participation of workers, which represented less than 50 percent of the usual workforce.
Junaid Naqi, president of the Korangi Trade and Industry Association (Kati), mentioned that the entrance points to the area were closed in the morning, and the workers were already on the edge due to the overflow of the Lyari and Malir rivers. In addition, power interruptions, caused by the stumbling block of food lines, further worsened the situation, which led to the suspension of multiple changes.
Sheikh Mohammad Tehseen, president of the FBA (FBATI) area industry association, said production activities in industrial areas had been seriously affected, with factory assistance at 50-60 percent.
“The supply chain has interrupted, slowing down the delivery of raw materials and cargo shipments to sea ports,” he added. Tehseen also urged the government to collaborate with industrial associations to restore commercial activities and normalize the economic cycle.
The electronic commerce sector also faced challenges since logistics interruptions hindered the movement of goods. Shoaib Bhatti, president of the Pakistan Trade Association (PEA) Karachi, reported shipments both nationally and internationally, with rapid trade services suspended in several parts of the city. Long interruptions of electricity and the Internet further hindered online shopping services, causing losses for electronic commerce companies.
Rauf Ibrahim, president of the Karachi WhoSalers Grocers Association (KWGA), said that the 80-90PC of stores in the main commercial areas, including Dandia Bazaar, Jodia Bazaar and Lea Market, closed.
The remaining 10-20PC of the stores that opened at 2 pm due to adverse climatic conditions. The combined impact of heavy rains, floods and infrastructure limitations has caused a generalized interruption in the Karachi industrial and commercial sectors, with expected long -term effects if the situation does not improve soon.
Posted in Dawn, September 11, 2025
