Containers to stay off roads as transporters remain divided

ISLAMABAD: A partial resolution to Pakistan's nationwide goods transporters' strike emerged Friday, with a segment calling off their protest after the government accepted eight of their demands. However, the strike's impact continues as major operators, including container trailer and truck owners, remain off the roads, prolonging disruptions to port operations and the country's external trade.

The Pakistan Transport Council, a member of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, announced the end of its strike following what it termed successful negotiations. Council representatives stated that goods transportation from Karachi Port and Port Qasim was resuming immediately. They confirmed that a special committee, chaired by Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, had negotiated with transporters, leading to the acceptance of immediate demands. Committees have also been formed to address remaining issues.

Among the accepted demands were a one-year freeze on toll tax increases, the removal of additional toll plazas, and the implementation of a modern automated system. An agreement was also reached for the release of detained vehicles under SRO 1619, pending bank guarantees. The council asserted that its agreement was signed by representatives from 15 goods transport associations nationwide.

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The freight charges are adjusted after every two years, but it has been delayed for three years this time. An increase of 7-8 per cent is expected next week.

Meanwhile, fuel oil tanker associations also dissociated themselves from the strike after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) agreed to their key demands. Malik Shoaib Ashraf, General Secretary of the Oil Tankers Contractors Association, indicated that a notification for a 7-8 percent increase in freight charges, delayed for three years, was expected next week. He clarified that oil tankers were not part of the ongoing strike.

Despite these agreements, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muhammad Owais Choudhry stated that only one segment of the alliance had broken ranks. He affirmed that the strike by container trailers and trucks would persist, as their primary demands had not yet been met, indicating a continued stalemate for critical trade routes.

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Only one segment of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance had broken ranks and that the strike by container trailers and trucks would continue as their key demands had not bee