Transporters demand fuel price reforms, lower taxes and rollback of toll increases
KARACHI: The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced an indefinite nationwide strike beginning August 8, warning that freight operations will remain suspended until the federal and provincial governments accept its demands.
Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan said transport associations from across the country had unanimously decided to launch the strike. He stated that the protest would continue until the authorities approved the alliance’s charter of demands.
Awan also called for the resignation of Petroleum Minister Pervaiz Ali Malik, accusing the government of failing to address the concerns of the transport sector.
Transporters outline key demands
The alliance demanded an end to the current system of daily petroleum price revisions and called for fuel prices to be fixed on a monthly basis. It also urged the government to reverse recent fuel price increases.
Additionally, transporters sought the immediate withdrawal of the latest motorway toll hike and restoration of toll rates to the levels in effect on June 30, 2024.
The alliance also called for reducing the withholding tax on the goods transport sector from 7% to 2%, enforcing axle-load regulations to prevent overloading, abolishing Customs’ SRO 1619/2024 and issuing heavy transport vehicle (HTV) licences only after proper testing.
Among other demands, transporters requested the development of dedicated parking facilities for heavy vehicles near Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
Industry warns of economic impact
Awan expressed concern over recent incidents in which transport vehicles were set on fire in Balochistan and urged authorities to improve law and order to ensure the safety of transport operators.
The alliance also opposed restrictions on 20-year-old commercial vehicles and rejected the imposition of a Rs9.7 million diyat in road accident cases. Furthermore, it criticised the mandatory third-party insurance requirement during vehicle registration in Sindh, describing it as an unnecessary financial burden.
Industry observers warn that a prolonged nationwide strike could disrupt supply chains, delay the movement of essential goods and place additional inflationary pressure on consumers if negotiations between the government and transporters fail to produce an agreement.
