The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has suspended its nine-day nationwide strike for 40 days. The decision followed government assurances on several major industry demands.
The federal and Sindh governments agreed to address concerns over petroleum prices, toll taxes, axle load limits and parking facilities. Transporters will now monitor the implementation of these commitments during the suspension period.
Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan announced the decision during a joint press conference. Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan also attended.
Awan said authorities had already addressed several demands. He added that remaining issues would go before the federal cabinet and relevant committees.
“We are not ending the strike. We are postponing it,” he said. He warned that transporters could restart the protest if authorities fail to honor their commitments.
Government Agrees to Review Fuel Prices
Petroleum pricing remains one of the transport industry’s key concerns. Under the agreement, the government will review petroleum product prices every 15 days.
The government will also include three transporters’ association representatives in the relevant committee. Previously, transporters had raised concerns over frequent changes in fuel prices.
Authorities will also establish committees to examine toll taxes and axle load enforcement. Meanwhile, the 35-ton weight limit for 10-wheeler vehicles will remain on national highways and the GT Road for two years.
New Measures Address Licensing and Enforcement
The agreement also covers several regulatory issues affecting goods transporters. The government will review Customs SRO 1619 as part of the settlement.
Authorities will also release vehicles seized by the Federal Board of Revenue in smuggling cases. However, genuine owners must produce relevant court orders to qualify for release.
Driving licences, fitness certificates and route permits issued by any province will also receive nationwide recognition. The same rule will apply to documents issued in the federal territory.
Furthermore, the National Highways and Motorway Police will establish a Driving License Authority in Karachi. The authority must begin operating within 15 days.
Karachi to Receive Additional Truck Parking Facilities
Parking facilities formed another major part of the agreement. The Sindh government and federal authorities have promised 17 acres of land in Karachi for transport parking.
Officials aim to provide the land within 15 days. Additional parking facilities are also planned for Korangi Industrial Area, the car carrier area, Port Qasim and Karachi Port.
The government will also consider establishing a truck stand on 1,000 acres near the Northern Bypass. Meanwhile, the Sindh governor has initially committed 350 acres for the purpose.
Punjab has separately agreed to provide land for truck stands in Faisalabad, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Government Reviews Taxes and Vehicle Weight Limits
The agreement also addresses vehicle dimensions, weight restrictions, third-party insurance and withholding tax. A committee will review weight and size limits for several light transport vehicles.
The review will cover Mazda, NPR, Canter and Dutro vehicles. The committee will complete its review within 15 days.
Meanwhile, the government will seek cabinet approval to reduce withholding tax to 6%. Officials aim to obtain approval within 15 days.
The Federal Board of Revenue will also cooperate on reducing the rate further to 2% in the next budget.
Authorities have additionally assured transporters that officials will not detain or seize vehicles and containers solely because of strikes or road closures. Punjab Highway Patrol will also avoid targeted tickets against transporters.
Transporters to Monitor Government Commitments
Several issues still require further discussion between transporters and authorities. These include provincial concerns in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Third-party insurance and a case registered in Jamshoro also remain unresolved. Committees will continue working on these matters during the 40-day suspension.
Awan said the alliance would closely monitor the implementation of the government’s commitments. Transporters could revive their nationwide protest if authorities fail to deliver the agreed measures.
For now, however, the suspension provides temporary relief to the country’s goods transportation sector after nine days of disruption.
