Goods transporters defer strike for 40 days as talks succeed
Decision follows talks at Governor House, with transporters resuming operations as several demands are addressed
Talks between the Pakistan Goods Transport Association and federal and provincial authorities concluded on Sunday, with transporters agreeing to suspend their 40-day nationwide strike and resume operations. The strike had halted the country's freight network, impacting imports, exports, and essential supplies, and resulting in economic losses exceeding Rs50 billion.
The dispute centered on implementing axle-load regulations, adjusting customs SRO and withholding tax mechanisms, and establishing daily fuel pricing. The decision to halt the strike came following a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Governor Syed Mohammad Nihal Hashmi at the Governor House, attended by federal and provincial officials.
Governor Hashmi affirmed that both parties displayed a willingness to compromise for the nation's benefit. Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan acknowledged that some demands had been addressed during the meeting, while committees were established to tackle the remaining issues. Association president Malik Shahzad Awan emphasized that all sides prioritized Pakistan's interests, with some demands resolved immediately and others expected to be addressed within 15 to 20 days following cabinet approval.
The axle-load law would be enforced entirely, according to Awan, and transporters were prepared to cooperate.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
