Transporters Refuse to End Nationwide Strike After Talks With Govt Fail

Negotiations between the federal government and the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association concluded on Tuesday without reaching a final agreement, leaving the nationwide wheel-jam strike to persist until the transporters' demands are met, according to sources speaking to ProPakistani. The discussions took place at the Ministry of Communications, where representatives of the transporters detailed their demands to government officials.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan expressed a willingness to work towards resolving the transporters' concerns. However, the meeting did not result in a conclusive agreement or formal acceptance of the transporters' demands. Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry Advocate affirmed that the transporters would not suspend their demands.

He stated that the association was prepared to continue talks with the government, but the nationwide strike would remain active until their demands were practically implemented. The transporters' primary demands comprise effective and uniform enforcement of axle-load limits as per the law, relief from taxes, and a transition from daily to monthly revisions in diesel prices.

Chaudhry conveyed that the door for negotiations remained open and emphasized that the transporters sought a resolution through dialogue. Nevertheless, he made it clear that the strike would not be lifted without the acceptance of their demands. The nationwide wheel-jam strike is expected to continue until the transporters' demands are approved.