Islamabad, Feb 20: Pakistan is on the brink of a major transportation crisis as oil tankers and goods transport associations have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding immediate action on the concerns raised by the Balochistan Goods Truck Trailer Owners Association.
The transporters have warned that if their demands are not met, they will stage a nationwide strike, blocking key highways across all four provinces, which could severely disrupt the supply chain and impact businesses and the general public.
The key issue fueling this protest is the rising operational costs for transporters, with the expense of running a 10-wheel vehicle now reaching nearly Rs. 3 million. The associations argue that truck owners have already upgraded their vehicles to meet previous requirements.
READ MORE: Pakistan Sees $1.37 Billion Profit Outflow by Foreign Investors
And imposing new axle load restrictions would render their investments obsolete, leading to massive financial losses for both owners and workers. They insist that these restrictions must be reversed, or they will have no choice but to take extreme action.
The strike call has garnered strong backing from major transport organizations across the country, including the Oil Tankers Association, Edible Oil Tankers Association, All Pakistan Truck Association, Sindh-Balochistan Mazda Goods Transport, Goods Transport Association, Car Carriers Association, Water Tankers Association, Sindh Dumpers, and Karachi Goods Transport Association. With such widespread support, the potential impact of a strike could be severe, affecting everything from fuel and food supplies to industrial raw materials.
If the transporters follow through on their threat, Pakistan could face an immediate crisis in the movement of essential goods, leading to fuel shortages, delays in consumer and industrial shipments, and overall economic disruption.
The government is now under pressure to respond swiftly, balancing its regulatory policies with the economic concerns of the transport sector. A failure to address the grievances of transporters could escalate the situation, leading to nationwide logistical paralysis and further financial strain on an already struggling economy.
With time running out, all eyes are on the government’s next move. A resolution in the coming days could prevent widespread disruptions, but if negotiations fail, the country may be forced to brace for a transport shutdown that could have far-reaching consequences.
