Containers to stay off roads as transporters remain divided

According to Dawn, a segment of goods haulers on Friday ended its countrywide wheel-jam protest after reaching a deal with the government. Larger operators, among them edible oil tankers, trucks and container trailers, stayed off the roads, which kept port activity and external trade under strain. The newspaper said the stoppage had already lasted six days.

The Pakistan Transport Council, a member of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, said it had called off the strike after talks with the government. Eight of its immediate demands were accepted, and committees were set up to handle the remaining issues. Among the demands were a one-year freeze on toll tax increases and the removal of extra toll plazas.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority accepted the key demands of fuel oil tankers, which distanced themselves from the strike. Oil Tankers Contractors Association general secretary Malik Shoaib Ashraf said a freight charge notification with a 7-8 per cent increase was expected next week. Another meeting with the government is scheduled for Saturday morning at the communications ministry, while the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association said large vehicles would stay off the roads.