ISLAMABAD: The government and the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance have reached an agreement, with transporters announcing a 40-day postponement of their planned nationwide strike.
Transporters’ alliance president Malik Shehzad Awan said the federal and provincial governments had accepted their key demands. He said a special committee had also been formed to examine the demand for a reduction in withholding tax and submit its recommendations.
The government has sought 15 days to review the decision to change petrol and diesel prices on a daily basis and work out a strategy on the issue.
Mr Awan thanked Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan for taking up the transporters’ concerns and assuring them of his cooperation.
Talking to the media, Mr Khan said both sides had held serious discussions and that most of the transporters’ issues had been resolved. He said committees had been formed for matters requiring more time.
The minister also thanked Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar and the governor of Sindh for their role in resolving the dispute. He said the Sindh governor had helped bring all stakeholders to the same platform.
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The goods transporters had announced a nationwide strike over concerns about high taxes, possible daily changes in diesel prices and increased fines by the motorway police.
The proposed strike had raised fears of disruption to the movement of goods from Port Qasim and Karachi Port to other parts of the country, with the possibility of shortages of essential commodities.
The agreement has temporarily averted the threat to the supply chain. The committees formed by the government are expected to work on the outstanding issues during the 40-day period.
