PESHAWAR: The operators of the public transport have threatened to bring vehicles onto the roads from April 13 if the provincial government does not announce a relief package for them and the transport crew.

“We have extended full cooperation to the government in the national interest and kept our vehicles off the road for the past 20 days. Now, the government has extended the ban on public transport up to April 12 without taking the transporters into confidence nor announcing any relief package for the operators and the workers,” according to a joint statement issued by different associations of transporters here Tuesday.

Public Transport Association Peshawar president Khan Zaman Afridi, Muttahida Transport Association president Noor Mohmand and Mohmand Transport Association president Mohammad Alam said the transport crew (drivers and assistants) were facing serious financial problems as they had to work on daily wages.

The transporters said they were unable to support the drivers and conductors in the prevailing situation when all the vehicles were off the road. Besides, they said the auto mechanics were also facing financial problems due to the prolonged lockdown. They said the transporters would not accept any further extension in the lockdown in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The government announced relief package for other sectors, but totally ignored the transporters and their drivers, cleaners,” the statement deplored.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2020