ISLAMABAD (MNN); Local public transporters in Rawalpindi and Islamabad announced a wheel-jam strike for Monday (December 8), rejecting the administration’s appeal to postpone their protest against the newly amended traffic ordinance that significantly increases fines for heavy vehicles.
The strike call was issued by the Punjab Public Transport Association. Hours before the announcement, representatives of the association — accompanied by members of the Goods Transporters Association — held a meeting with City Traffic Police Officer Farhan Aslam and Regional Transport Authority Secretary Asad Shirazi. The administration urged the transporters to avoid shutting down operations in the twin cities.
However, transporters refused to step back, insisting that the strike would go ahead to pressure the provincial government into withdrawing the “burdensome” amendments.
RTA Secretary Shirazi said, “We tried to convince them, but they demanded the complete abolition of the new amendments, which is beyond our authority. We have informed the Punjab government of their demands, and negotiations will now be held in Lahore.”
Chairman of the Mutahida Transport Federation of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Raja Muhammad Riaz, told Dawn that transporters were “unable to cope” with the heavy fines, which had badly affected their earnings and household budgets.
“Fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs20,000 have become routine, and our businesses are suffering,” he said, accusing the government of shifting its financial burden onto transporters who were already struggling with rising fuel and spare-parts costs. He demanded an immediate reduction in fines and a reversal of policies that he said were “destroying the sector”.
According to Riaz, the traffic police agreed during the meeting not to impose fines on vehicles possessing valid fitness certificates.
Meanwhile, Goods Transport Association President Shakeel Qureshi announced full support for Monday’s strike, saying freight vehicles in Rawalpindi would remain off the roads.
“We condemn the heavy fines approved by the Punjab Assembly,” he said. “Changes to customs laws amount to economic murder of transporters.”
He urged the government to review policies in consultation with all stakeholders rather than “listening to one side only”.
In a separate statement, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) Rawalpindi chapter also announced its support for the December 8 strike. JUI spokesperson Hafiz Ziaullah said the “excessive” fines imposed by the Punjab government had made life extremely difficult for the people, especially low-income motorcyclists.
He urged Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to adopt a “people-friendly policy” and reduce the “unfair and unnecessary burden” of fines.
