Goods transporters to go on strike from Saturday after talks with govt fail
Goods transporters and oil tanker operators began suspending their services on Friday night after negotiations with the government failed, ahead of their nationwide wheel-jam strike scheduled for Saturday. All Pakistan Goods Transport Itehad spokesman and All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Mohammad Owais Chaudhry Advocate told Dawn that talks with Federal Minister for…
Nationwide strike by Pakistan's goods transporters and oil tanker operators commenced on Friday evening following unsuccessful government negotiations. This comes ahead of a scheduled strike on Saturday. Mohammad Owais Chaudhry, representing the All Pakistan Goods Transport Itehad and All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association, informed Dawn that talks with Federal Communications Minister Aleem Khan and other officials had reached an impasse.
Chaudhry stated that despite presenting their concerns, the negotiations did not yield a resolution. Consequently, a broad range of transporters, including those operating edible and petroleum oil tankers, trucks, trailers, and intercity vehicles, proceeded with their strike as previously announced. Chaudhry assured that the government would address their issues, with further discussions set for Monday morning.
The transporters reaffirmed their strike would be indefinite, not merely a symbolic demonstration. They are demanding uniform axle-load enforcement nationwide and permission for 10-wheel vehicles to transport up to 35 tonnes. Other demands include diesel price and toll tax reductions, relief in withholding tax, withdrawal of customs provisions allowing vehicle confiscation for minor violations, abolition of excessive challans and fines from Punjab Highway Patrol, and expedited licensing for heavy transport vehicles.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
