ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance has announced a nationwide wheel-jam strike from August 8, warning that the suspension of freight movement could disrupt the supply of essential commodities if the government does not accept its demands.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the National Press Club by alliance leaders, including All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry, Malik Shafeeullah Awan and Malik Nisar.
The transporters said the sector is facing a severe financial crisis due to repeated increases in diesel prices, higher taxes and other government measures. They demanded that diesel prices be restored to the July 1, 2024 level by reducing taxes, while also calling for lower motorway and highway toll charges.
The alliance also demanded a reduction in withholding tax on cargo transporters from seven per cent to two per cent, arguing that oil tanker operators already pay the lower rate.
The transporters rejected a provision in the Finance Act 2026 that allows authorities to confiscate an entire vehicle if non-duty-paid goods are found on board. They termed the measure unfair and called for the restoration of the previous system under which fines were imposed before vehicles were released.
They further urged the government to implement uniform axle-load regulations across the country, insisting that overloading should be checked at factories, warehouses and loading points rather than through roadside enforcement, which they claimed had become a source of revenue collection.
Among their other demands were simplifying the procedure for obtaining Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) driving licences and replacing daily fuel price revisions with fortnightly or monthly adjustments to provide greater financial certainty for transport operators.
Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said government policies had pushed drivers, small transporters and truck owners paying vehicle instalments into serious financial hardship, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue operations.
He said the alliance had repeatedly approached the government through meetings, letters and media appeals, but no meaningful progress had been made. He urged the authorities to begin negotiations immediately to prevent the situation from escalating.
The alliance also announced support for the strike already declared by Karachi’s goods transporters.
Transport leaders said that if the government failed to engage in talks and accept their demands, cargo trucks, containers and oil tankers across the country would remain off the roads from August 8.
They said the protest would remain peaceful, with transporters parking their vehicles instead of blocking highways. However, they warned that a prolonged strike could severely affect imports, exports and the transportation of essential goods, holding the government responsible for any resulting disruptions.
