Islamabad: After goods transporters, the All Pakistan Transporters Association has also announced a nationwide wheel-jam strike from August 8, demanding relief from rising operational costs and changes in government policies affecting the transport sector.
Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club Islamabad, office-bearers of the association said that frequent changes in diesel prices on a daily basis have made it impossible for transporters to continue their businesses. They said they cannot bear daily fluctuations in fuel prices.
The transporters’ representatives said that toll tax has been increased from Rs. 250 to Rs. 750, while withholding tax has also been raised. They demanded that withholding tax be reduced from 7 percent to 2 percent.
They further stated that vehicles are being threatened with confiscation over minor customs-related issues and demanded that, similar to previous laws, vehicles should be released after imposing a reasonable fine instead of taking strict action.
The association leaders said that overloaded vehicles should be stopped at factories during loading instead of penalizing them on roads. They alleged that the government is generating revenue through challans issued against heavy-load vehicles.
They also highlighted difficulties faced by drivers regarding Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) licensing and said that working conditions for transporters and drivers have become extremely challenging.
The transporters demanded that toll taxes be restored to the rates applicable in 2024. They warned that if their demands are not accepted, a nationwide strike will be observed on August 8.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, led by its President Malik Shehzad Awan, met Additional Inspector General Motorways Javed Akbar Riaz. The delegation included Malik Sher Khan, Chaudhry Qamar Zaman Gul, Bakhtawar Khan, Muhammad Panah and Muhammad Rauf.
Malik Shehzad Awan said that the meeting was held on the instructions of Inspector General Motorway Police Chaudhry Sultan. Discussions were held regarding alleged unfair fines by motorway police and implementation of axle load regulations.
He said that the authorities agreed to ensure uniform and fair enforcement of axle load laws. He added that motorway police would play its role in preventing overloading.
The goods transporters’ leader also said that discussions were held regarding proper weight limits for 10-wheel vehicles and commitments made during the nationwide strike in December by the Secretary Communications, Chairman National Highway Authority, and Inspector General Motorway Police.
Malik Shehzad Awan reiterated that a peaceful nationwide strike will be observed on August 8 and urged the federal and provincial governments to accept the transporters’ demands.
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