Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has announced the immediate implementation of the axle load policy, saying no overloaded vehicle will be allowed on Pakistan’s motorways.
During a video-link meeting with the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, the minister assured transporters that their legitimate demands would be addressed immediately and announced a one-month deadline to make the Motorway Police corruption-free.
Abdul Aleem Khan said the axle load policy would be implemented from today, with overloaded vehicles strictly prohibited from using the motorways.
The minister said he was pleased that goods transport owners had agreed with the axle load policy and urged transporters to cooperate in protecting the country’s motorways and highways.
He stressed that all stakeholders must work together in the national interest and said every issue could be resolved if there was a sincere intention to find solutions.
Transporters’ demands to be addressed
During the meeting, Abdul Aleem Khan heard detailed concerns from goods transporters regarding the axle load policy, SRO-related matters, difficulties faced by vehicles on motorways and other operational issues.
He assured the alliance that the legitimate demands of goods transporters would be accepted immediately. He also said the problems faced by the Mazda Association and 10-wheelers would be resolved on a priority basis.
The minister urged transporters not to resort to extreme measures and instead prioritize the national interest.
“Until we sit together, how will the matter move forward?” he said, calling the goods transporters to Islamabad on Monday for further discussions aimed at resolving their issues.
Motorway Police to be made corruption-free
The communications minister also announced a major crackdown on corruption within the Motorway Police, setting a target of making the force corruption-free within one month.
He directed the inspector general of motorways to ensure that no official involved in bribery or corruption remains in service.
Abdul Aleem Khan made it clear that corrupt officials would not only be dismissed from their jobs but would also face the registration of cases against them. He described such officials as “black sheep” and said they would be removed from the system.
Transporters urged to protect highways
The federal minister appealed to goods transporters to cooperate with the government in protecting motorways and highways. He said all stakeholders needed to think collectively about the country and the nation, emphasizing that cooperation between the government and transport sector was essential to resolving outstanding issues.
The video-link meeting was attended by representatives of various goods transport organizations, along with senior government officials.
Among those present were Shabbir Malik, Owais Chaudhry, Chaudhry Maqbool, Chaudhry Shahid and Haji Nawaz. Naser Hussain Jafri, Mirza Naseeruddin, Adeel Abbas and other goods transporters also participated in the meeting.
Malik Sher Awan, Iftikhar Butt, Malik Shifaullah and Nadeem Afzal also expressed their views during the discussion. The meeting was also attended by the communications secretary, IG Motorways, transport secretary and other officers concerned.
