Containers to stay off roads as transporters remain divided

Pakistan's transport sector experienced a mixed outcome on Friday as a nationwide wheel-jam strike called by a portion of goods transporters was called off, but major operators remained off the roads, causing further disruptions. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) accepted the key demands of fuel oil tankers, leading them to dissociate from the strike. However, container trailers, trucks, and edible oil tankers continued to stay off the roads, prolonging the impact on port operations and external trade.

The Pakistan Transport Council, a part of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, announced the cessation of its strike after negotiations with the government. The council claimed that movement of goods carriers from Karachi Port and Port Qasim was restored. The leaders of the council, including Tanveer Ahmed Jutt, Muhammad Altaf, Rao Tahir Khan, Ashraf Gujjar, and others, addressed a press conference at the National Press Club.

They mentioned that eight of the transporters' immediate demands had been accepted, and committees were formed to tackle the remaining issues. The council highlighted an agreement with the government, which included signatures from 15 goods transport associations nationwide. Their demands consisted of no increase in toll taxes for one year, removal of additional toll plazas, and implementation of a modern automated system.

Later, All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muhammad Owais Choudhry revealed that only a single segment of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance had broken away from the strike, leaving the container trailers and trucks still out of action. Choudhry accused the government of engaging in political maneuvering to delay resolving their concerns, using negotiations as a delaying tactic while threatening their members through other means.

The edible oil tankers association, led by Tariq Sarbaz, continued its strike, demanding that the government accept their legitimate demands and release palm oil and palm olein from the ports for transportation to oil factories. A further meeting between the government and the striking transporters was scheduled for Saturday morning at the communications ministry.