Decision follows talks at Governor House, with transporters resuming operations as several demands are addressed
Talks between the Pakistan Goods Transport Association and the federal and provincial governments succeeded on Sunday, with transporters announcing that they would defer their nine-day nationwide strike for 40 days and resume operations.
Pakistan’s freight network had remained at a standstill as goods transporters continued their wheel-jam strike for a ninth day, disrupting the movement of imports, exports and essential supplies and, according to them, causing more than Rs50 billion in economic losses.
The transporters have been demanding implementation of the axle-load regime, changes to the customs SRO and withholding tax mechanism, and daily determination of fuel prices, among other issues.
Read: Goods transporters to continue wheel-jam strike
The decision to defer the strike was taken after an agreement was reached at a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Governor Syed Mohammad Nihal Hashmi at the Governor House.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Security Saeed Ghani, Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, secretary communications, inspector general of motorway police, National Highway Authority chairman and other officials attended the meeting.
A delegation of the Pakistan Goods Transport Association was led by its president Malik Shahzad Awan.
Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Governor Hashmi said both sides had listened to each other’s positions with “open hearts” and reached an agreement.
He said both sides had expressed their resolve to make sacrifices in the interest of the country, adding that the region was facing extraordinary circumstances.
Communications Minister Khan thanked the Sindh governor and said the government was addressing the transporters’ outstanding demands.
He said some demands had been resolved during the meeting, while committees had been formed to address the remaining issues.
Read: Talks fail as goods transporters vow to continue strike
Khan said federal ministers, Karachi Mayor Wahab and Sindh Minister Ghani had extended their support during the negotiations, while the Punjab transport minister had helped resolve several issues.
He said work on a new motorway from Sukkur to Hyderabad and Karachi would begin this year, describing it as “good news” for the country.
Addressing the presser, Association president Awan said the interests of Pakistan remained a priority for all sides.
He said some demands had been resolved immediately, while the government had assured the transporters that other issues would be resolved within 15 to 20 days after approval by the cabinet.
Awan said the strike had continued across the country for nine days over demands submitted to the federal and provincial governments.
He said the prime minister had formed a special committee headed by Khan to address the transporters’ concerns.
Awan said the strike had been called over several issues, including daily determination of petroleum product prices and withholding tax, after the government failed to respond to their demands.
He said most of the demands concerning the Punjab government would also be addressed.
Awan said the axle-load law would be implemented “100 per cent” in accordance with the law and that the transporters would cooperate with the government on the matter.
He said the decision to defer the strike had been taken in the broader national interest following assurances from the federal and provincial governments and consultations with the transporters’ 50-member committee.
Read More: Goods transporters begin nationwide indefinite strike
“The strike is not being ended but deferred for 40 days,” he said, warning that the transporters would be within their constitutional right to resume protests if the government failed to fulfil its commitments.
Karachi Mayor Wahab said the Sindh government would address matters falling within its jurisdiction, while some demands required amendments to the law and others would be resolved in coordination with the Karachi Port Trust.
Wahab and Sindh Minister Ghani assured the transporters that the parking issue would be addressed.
The government has sought 15 days to resolve the issue of fixing petroleum product prices on a daily basis.
A committee will also be formed to address issues relating to toll taxes and 10-wheeler vehicles.
