The All Pakistan Goods Transport has announced an indefinite strike from August 8 if its demands are not accepted by the government.
Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club, Malik Shehzad Awan said transport associations from across the country had agreed to continue the strike until their demands were met. He also demanded the resignation of Petroleum Minister Parvez Ali Malik.
He said a charter of demands had already been submitted to the federal and provincial governments, adding that the strike would continue if the demands were ignored.
Among the key demands is the end of daily adjustments in petroleum prices and the restoration of monthly pricing, along with the withdrawal of recent fuel price hikes.
The transporters have also demanded that the recent increase in toll tax be reversed immediately and restored to the level of June 30, 2024.
Malik Shehzad Awan said the 7 percent withholding tax on the goods transport sector should be withdrawn and reduced to 2 percent, similar to oil tankers. He also demanded strict enforcement of axle-load rules to curb overloading.
He called for the withdrawal of Customs SRO 1619/2024, issuance of HTV licences after tests for drivers, and provision of parking facilities for transport vehicles near Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
Awan said attacks on transport vehicles in Balochistan were alarming and called for immediate measures to improve law and order in the province.
He also rejected the law banning vehicles older than 20 years and the rule setting compensation at Rs9.7 million in road accident cases, demanding that both be withdrawn immediately.
In addition, he urged the government to end what he described as extortion during vehicle registration in Sindh under the name of third-party insurance.
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