Summary Goods transporters launched an indefinite nationwide strike over fuel costs, daily diesel pricing, taxes, tolls and regulatory measures, demanding government action.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Goods transporters across Pakistan launched an indefinite nationwide strike on Saturday, protesting rising fuel costs, daily diesel price adjustments, taxation and regulatory measures that they say are increasing the financial burden on the transport sector.
All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan said freight operators had suspended services across the country and would continue the strike until their demands were addressed.
He said the federal government had invited alliance representatives for talks on Monday, while the transporters had formed a committee to represent them during negotiations. The strike would continue until the outcome of the talks was reviewed and a future course of action announced.
Awan said earlier negotiations between transporters and government representatives at the Commissioner's Office had failed to produce a breakthrough.
The transporters are demanding a reduction in taxes on diesel and the restoration of fuel prices to their July 1, 2024 level. They are also opposing the daily adjustment of diesel prices and want fuel prices revised fortnightly or monthly to provide greater predictability for transport operators.
According to Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) publishes daily fuel prices based on a seven-day average of international benchmark prices. The daily review mechanism was introduced amid heightened volatility in global oil markets linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The alliance is also demanding that withholding tax on cargo transporters be reduced from 7% to 2%, arguing that oil tanker operators are already subject to the lower rate.
Transporters have further objected to customs enforcement measures under which vehicles carrying non-duty-paid goods may be confiscated. They are seeking simplified procedures for heavy transport vehicle driving licences and a reduction in toll taxes.
Ministers' resignations demanded
Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Awan said goods transport operations across the country were being suspended as part of the ongoing protest.
He accused the federal and provincial governments of failing to implement the alliance's charter of demands, insisting that all their demands were constitutional and legitimate.
Awan said transporters were staging a peaceful protest by parking their vehicles rather than blocking roads, adding that they did not want to cause inconvenience to citizens.
He called for the resignation of Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, alleging that commitments made to transporters had not been honoured.
Awan claimed that a single trailer was paying up to Rs2.4 million in toll taxes in addition to taxes on petroleum products.
He alleged that the government was not serious about negotiations and said a committee had been formed to hold talks with government officials.
According to Awan, the strike would be called off once the government issued a formal notification for talks.
