ISLAMABAD: Following unsuccessful negotiations with the government over the uniform enforcement of the nationwide axle-load limit, goods transporters and oil tankers began parking their vehicles nationwide from Friday night to ensure the success of the nationwide wheel-jam strike on Saturday.
Spokesman for All Pakistan Goods Transport Itehad and All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Mohammad Owais Chaudhry Advocate told Dawn that the talks with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and other government officials have failed.
He said the negotiations ended without a breakthrough, prompting the transporters, including the edible oil tankers, petroleum oil tankers, trucks, trailers and other intercity loading vehicles, to proceed with their previously announced strike.
“We have informed the government side about the problems we are facing and our concerns,” Mr Chaudhry said, adding that the strike would continue until their demands were accepted.
Talks fail over axle-load limit; minister promises fresh round on Monday
However, the minister has promised the transporters that he would discuss their demands in the next round on Monday morning.
The unified body of the transporters had already announced that they would commence their wheel jam strike from Aug 8, and threatened that it would not be a token strike but would last indefinitely.
“Commercial goods carriers across the country have already started to be off the road, and they would be stationed at our designated places during the protest period,” Mr Chaudhry said.
Among their key demands are uniform enforcement of the axle-load limit nationwide and permission for 10-wheel vehicles to carry up to 35 tonnes.
They have also demanded reductions in diesel prices and toll taxes, and sought relief from withholding tax to reduce the financial burden on the transport sector.
The transporters have called for the withdrawal of customs provisions that, according to the association, allow authorities to confiscate vehicles carrying goods found in violation of customs laws.
Other demands include withdrawal of the Punjab Highway Patrol’s powers to issue challans to commercial vehicles, an end to what the association described as unnecessary challans and excessive fines on motorways and highways, and measures to facilitate the issuance of heavy transport vehicle licences to drivers.
Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026
