The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance announced an indefinite nationwide strike on Saturday after negotiations with the federal and Sindh governments failed to resolve the industry’s longstanding demands.
Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, alliance president Malik Shehzad Awan said goods transport vehicles would remain off the roads from August 8 until the government formally accepted their demands through official notifications.
Awan said negotiations held on Friday had ended without an agreement, accusing both the federal and provincial governments of failing to adequately address transporters’ concerns.
The talks included senior federal officials, including the communications minister, communications secretary, National Highway Authority chairman and motorway police chief, as well as Sindh government representatives from the transport, excise, traffic police and other relevant departments.
Awan said the meeting failed to produce a resolution to the issues raised by goods transporters, prompting the alliance to proceed with the nationwide stoppage.
However, vehicles carrying import and export containers already in transit have been temporarily exempted from the strike to allow existing cargo to reach its destinations.
The exemption will remain in effect until August 10, after which the strike restrictions are expected to apply more broadly unless an agreement is reached with the government.