KARACHI/LAHORE: Goods transporters on Wednesday announced the end of their strike after their demands were accepted by the federal government and the governments of Punjab and Sindh.
Representatives of the transporters said negotiations between the transport community and the federal as well as the Punjab and Sindh provincial governments concluded successfully, with almost all demands accepted.
During the talks, Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance leader Malik Shehzad Awan presented in detail the issues and demands faced by the transport community to government representatives. The federal and provincial governments termed the demands justified and agreed to them.
Following the negotiations, Malik Shehzad Awan told the media that all demands of the transporters had been approved.He expressed gratitude to the federal, Punjab and Sindh governments, saying the success was the result of unity and a peaceful struggle
by the transporters’ community. He also thanked colleagues and individuals who supported the movement.Shehzad Awan said Punjab’s Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar travelled to Karachi for the negotiations. He remarked that while the Punjab police had acted in a high-handed manner, the Sindh police did not resort to such behaviour. He claimed there was no police station in Punjab where transporters had not been detained or FIRs registered against them.
He added that issues such as driving licences and other related matters were discussed during the talks, and that the immediate release of all detained drivers was also demanded. He noted that some drivers remain detained in various lockups in Punjab even today. Shehzad Awan said Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also contacted him, and on behalf of the transport community he expressed appreciation and thanks.
He said Akbar briefed the chief minister of Sindh as well as Aurangzeb, who gave assurances over the phone and said she was prepared to travel to Karachi if required. He added that a draft agreement between the government and the association has been signed and will be officially notified shortly.
Separately, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Faheemur Rehman Saigol said the government swiftly formed committees and made serious efforts to resolve the issues, which helped restore business activities across the province.
Representatives of the Transporters Association, including Ismatullah Niazi, Nabeel Tariq and Bao Irfan, were also present on the occasion. The LCCI president said that while the situation in Punjab has improved, export and import consignments remain stuck at ports and are not reaching other provinces. He added that disruptions in the supply of raw materials have increased business costs, noting that the price of industrial resin alone has risen by Rs500.
Goods transporters had gone on strike last week against the Punjab Motor Vehicle Ordinance, the registration of FIRs against drivers, heavy fines for traffic violations, axle load limits and several other issues.
