The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance announced Tuesday a nationwide wheel-jam strike starting August 8, warning that the resulting suspension of freight movement could disrupt the supply of essential commodities if the government fails to address its demands.
The announcement was made at a press conference at the National Press Club by alliance leaders including All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry Advocate, Malik Shafeeullah Awan, and Malik Nisar. They said the transport sector is facing an unprecedented financial crisis driven by repeated diesel price hikes, higher taxes, and other government measures. The transporters demanded a reduction in taxes on diesel and a restoration of fuel prices to their July 1, 2024 level.
They also called for a cut in the withholding tax on cargo transporters from 7% to 2%, arguing that oil tanker operators already pay only 2%. The alliance rejected a provision introduced under the Finance Act 2026 that allows an entire vehicle to be confiscated if non-duty-paid goods are found on board, describing the measure as unjust and demanding its immediate withdrawal in favour of the previous system, under which fines were imposed and vehicles released.
Transporters also sought uniform enforcement of axle-load regulations nationwide, arguing that overloading should be checked at factories, warehouses, and loading points rather than through roadside enforcement, which they alleged has become a revenue-collection exercise rather than a genuine safety measure.
Among their other demands: a simpler procedure for obtaining heavy transport vehicle driving licences, reduced toll taxes, and an end to daily adjustments in diesel prices, with transporters instead requesting fortnightly or monthly fuel price revisions to provide greater operational certainty.
Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said current policies have pushed drivers, small transporters, and vehicle owners paying instalments on financed trucks into severe financial hardship, making it increasingly difficult to sustain operations. “We have repeatedly approached the government through letters, meetings and media appeals, but no meaningful progress has been made,” he said.
The alliance jointly announced that unless the government enters immediate negotiations and accepts its demands, all categories of goods transport, including cargo trucks, containers, and oil tankers, will remain off the roads from August 8. Leaders said the strike would remain peaceful, with transporters parking their vehicles rather than blocking highways.
