The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance on Sunday announced a 40-day suspension of nationwide strike after assurances from the federal and Sindh governments on its key demands.
Goods transporters were on strike for last nine days to press for the demands including petroleum pricing.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, aliance president Malik Shahzad Awan said the authorities had committed to addressing concerns related to toll taxes, parking facilities, fuel prices and axle-load limits.
Awan said some of the alliance’s demands had already been addressed, while other matters would be discussed at the cabinet level. He stated that government representatives had also assured the alliance that negotiations would continue through relevant committees.
“We are not ending the strike; we are postponing it,” Awan said, warning that the transporters could resume their protest if the government failed to fulfil its commitments.
According to him, Communications Minister assured the alliance that a committee would be set up to examine the possibility of reducing toll taxes. The government also agreed to review petroleum prices on a fortnightly or monthly basis instead of making daily changes.
Another assurance concerned allowing 10-wheelers to operate within appropriate weight limits.
The Sindh government, meanwhile, pledged to address the shortage of parking facilities and related concerns faced by goods transporters, Awan said.
Nehal Hashmi described the current regional situation as exceptional, noting that the economic repercussions of the ongoing conflict were being felt globally, including in Pakistan. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir were working to ensure that the benefits of recent developments reached the people.
Hashmi added that the government and transporters had agreed to make necessary sacrifices in the national interest.
