Transport leaders announced a province-wide strike in Punjab from 8 December and a nationwide shutdown from December 10 (Wednesday) as protest against the Punjab government’s decision to raise traffic fines.
The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association said that transporters had announced a wheel-jam strike across the country, giving the authorities an December 8 deadline to accept a 25-point list of demands.
Public and goods transport associations said the rise in traffic penalties had placed an excessive burden on drivers and owners. Goods transport representatives warned that the supply of essential items would be halted if their demands were not met by the deadline.
Moreover, the good transporters said goods carriers also demanded an end to targeted challans and called for approval of all 25 demands, including the reversal of the revised penalty structure.
Transporters have called for land for new truck stands in Punjab and for stronger measures against highway robberies, stating that the sector had been exposed to increasing security risks.
