PESHAWAR: Transporters held a rally here on Wednesday against the recent increase in toll tax on motorways, and demanded of the federal government to withdraw the hike in ‘public interest’.

The protest rally was held on the GT Road near Jinnah Park. Members of Public Transport Owners Association shouted slogans against the hike in toll tax and prices of petroleum products.

The transporters, including Khan Zaman Afridi, Mohammad Alam, Haider Khan, Wakil Khan, Saifullah, Yar Mohammad and others, said that the National Highway Authority had raised toll rates significantly, which had affected the transporters and passengers alike.

They said that prices of petroleum products had increased many times during the tenure of the sitting government, but the fare list was not reviewed, hitting the transporters financially. They said in such a situation it had become difficult for them to run public transport, asking the government to increase the fares and withdraw the increase in toll tax.

“We will announce wheel-jam strike in case the federal government fails to accept our demands,” they warned.

Talking to mediapersons, Khan Zaman said the increase in motorway toll tax had placed an unfair burden on commuters.

He pointed out that the vehicles without M-tag had to pay additional charges on motorways.

He said that during the current year the taxes were increased many times, and asked the government to focus on facilitating citizens rather than imposing additional financial burden on them.

On this occasion, officials of transport department and district administration held talks with the protesters and assured them that after approval from the assembly, Rs4.60 per kilometre fare will be fixed.

After the assurance, the transporters dispersed peacefully.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2025