After negotiations between All Pakistan Goods Transport Association and the federal and Sindh governments remained unproductive, several unions of goods transporters went on a countrywide wheel-jam strike for an indefinite time period on Saturday. The bodies of transporters, which went on a strike, included All Pakistan Goods Transport Association, All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners’ Association, Karachi Transport Association, United Goods Transport Alliance, Grand Transport Alliance of Pakistan and others.

All Pakistan Goods Transport Association President Malik Shahzad Awan said that since both the federal and Sindh governments were not serious in resolving the issues of transporters, they were going on a strike in protest. Federal minister for communications, secretary communications, NH chairman, and IG motorway represented the federal government in the talks, while the Sindh government was led by the commissioner Karachi, secretary transport, secretary excise, DI traffic, and DI driving.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has invited representatives of goods transporters to Islamabad on Monday for talks aimed at resolving their issues. Aleem Khan attended a video meeting with leaders of All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance on Saturday during which adetailed discussions on axle load, SRO, problems of vehicles on motorways and other issues were held. The minister said that transporters should cooperate for the protection of motorways and highways. The legitimate demands of goods transporters will be accepted immediately, he added.

Aleem Khan invited a delegation of goods transporters to Islamabad on Monday for further talks. The minister further said that the Motorway police will be made corruption-free in a month. The minister on this occasion announced that IG Motorways should ensure that not a single official who indulges in bribery and corruption is left in the force. “I am happy that transport owners agree with our axle load policy, he added. Not only the officials guilty of corruption will be dismissed, but also cases will be filed, the minister said.

“If the intention is right, every problem can be solved,” the minister maintained, adding “Until we sit down together, how will the matter move forward?” he asked. The problems of Mazda Association and 10 Wheelers will also be resolved on priority basis, Aleem Khan said and added “We all have to think about the country and the nation together.” The minister made it clear that not a single overloaded vehicle will be allowed on the motorways. “Excel load policy will be implemented from today and black sheep will be expelled,” he added.

Aleem Khan advised goods transporters not to adopt extreme measures and think about the country's interest first. Shabbir Malik, Owais Chaudhry, Chaudhry Maqbool, Muhammad Baloch, Chaudhry Shahda and Haji Nawaz participated in the meeting, which was also attended by Federal Secretary of Communications, IG Motorways, Secretaries of Transport of all four provinces and relevant officers. Nasir Hussain Jafri, Mirza Naseeruddin, Adeel Abbas and other goods transporters also attended the meeting. Malik Sherawan, Iftikhar Butt, Malik Shifaullah, Nadeem Afzal also expressed their views in the video link meeting.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)