Pakistan Goods Transporters Strike Continues as Government Calls for Monday Talks

Islamabad: Pakistan’s nationwide goods transporters’ strike entered its second day on Sunday, with thousands of trucks reportedly remaining off the roads. The government has invited representatives of transporters to Islamabad for negotiations on Monday and assured them that their legitimate concerns will be addressed.

The strike, led by the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, began after negotiations with the government failed to resolve disagreements over diesel pricing, toll charges, taxes and axle-load regulations.

Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan held a video conference with representatives of the transporters on Saturday and said the government was prepared to address their concerns on a priority basis.

Government Invites Transporters for Monday Talks

The government has asked a delegation of goods transporters to attend detailed discussions in Islamabad on Monday.

Abdul Aleem Khan said the issues facing the transport sector would be resolved through negotiations and urged the transporters to cooperate with the government.

The nationwide strike has raised concerns about possible disruptions to the movement of essential goods, industrial supplies and exports, as Pakistan relies heavily on road transport to connect ports, factories, warehouses and markets.

Why Are Goods Transporters on Strike?

The transporters have raised several demands, with the daily revision of diesel prices being one of their major concerns.

They want the government to end the system of daily diesel price adjustments and return to a monthly pricing mechanism. Pakistan had previously revised petroleum prices every two weeks before shifting to more frequent adjustments amid volatility in international energy markets.

The transporters are also demanding:

• Restoration of toll rates that were applicable on June 1, 2024

• A halt to further increases in toll charges

• A one-year ban on establishing new toll plazas

• Reduction of withholding tax from 7% to 2%

• Uniform implementation of axle-load regulations across Pakistan

• Measures to control overloading at the point where goods are loaded

Government Moves on Axle-Load Policy

The communications minister said the government would immediately begin implementing its axle-load policy.

He stressed that overloaded vehicles would not be allowed to enter motorways and urged transporters to cooperate with authorities to protect national highways and motorways from damage caused by excessive loads.

The minister also directed the motorway police leadership to take action against corruption within the department. According to the ministry, officials found involved in taking bribes could face dismissal as well as criminal proceedings.

Transporters Say Strike Will Continue

President of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said thousands of goods vehicles had been parked across different parts of the country.

He maintained that negotiations remained possible, but the wheel-jam strike would continue until the transporters’ demands were accepted.

The ongoing stoppage could put additional pressure on domestic supply chains if it continues for an extended period, particularly because road freight plays a major role in transporting goods across Pakistan.

Monday Talks Could Determine Next Step

The government’s decision to invite transporters for talks has opened the possibility of resolving the dispute through negotiations. However, the transporters have made it clear that they want concrete action on their demands before ending the strike.

The outcome of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad is therefore expected to be important in determining whether the nationwide goods transporters’ strike comes to an end or continues.