Karachi (Pakistan Khabar): The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced an indefinite nationwide strike from August 8 if their demands are not accepted.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, alliance leader Malik Shehzad Awan said that all transport organizations across Pakistan would continue the strike until their demands are fulfilled. He also demanded the resignation of Petroleum Minister Pervez Ali Malik.
According to Malik Shehzad Awan, the transporters’ charter of demands has been presented to the federal and provincial governments; however, protests will continue if their demands are not accepted.
The demands of transporters include ending the daily determination of petroleum product prices, shifting to monthly price adjustments, and withdrawing the recent increase in prices. They also demanded the reversal of the increase in toll taxes and restoring them to the level of June 30, 2024.
He said that the 7 percent withholding tax imposed on the goods transport sector should be abolished and reduced to 2 percent like oil tankers. He also demanded full implementation of axle load laws and effective measures to eliminate overloading.
The transporters also called for the abolition of Customs SRO 1619/2024, issuance of HTV licenses to drivers after testing, and provision of proper parking facilities for vehicles around Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
Malik Shehzad Awan expressed concern over incidents of goods transport vehicles being set on fire in Balochistan and stressed the need to improve the law and order situation.
He also demanded the withdrawal of the law banning vehicles older than 20 years, changes to the law regarding compensation of Rs9.7 million in road accident cases, and an end to alleged additional charges collected in the name of third-party insurance during vehicle registration in Sindh.