Goods transport alliance announces nationwide strike from Aug 8

WEB DESK: The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance on Monday announced a nationwide strike from August 8, warning that transport operations will remain suspended until the federal government accepts its demands.

The announcement comes after the transport associations from across Pakistan unanimously agreed to launch the nationwide protest, the Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan.

Speaking at a conference, the president said that a charter of demands has already been presented to both the federal and provincial governments, where it has mentioned all their demands they expect from the authorities concerned.

During his address, President Awan urged the government to replace the current daily fuel price adjustment mechanism with a monthly review, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the latest increase in diesel and petrol prices.

The alliance also demanded that the recent surge in toll taxes be reversed and restored to the rates applicable.

His statement also included a call for reducing the tax on the goods transport sector, noting that it be brought down to 2 per cent from its current 7 per cent.

He urged authorities to ensure strict implementation of axle load and overloading regulations while reviewing the permissible weight limit for 10-wheeler trucks to allow a more practical carrying capacity.

The association also called on customs authorities to stop what it described as the harassment of transporters and urged the federal government, along with the Punjab and Sindh governments, to honour commitments made to the transport sector in December.

Among its other demands, the alliance urged authorities to issue Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) licences to drivers after they successfully complete the required driving tests.

The transport body warned that if its demands remain unmet, goods transport services nationwide will be suspended from August 8 for an indefinite period.