ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Transporters across Punjab have announced a wheel-jam strike today (Monday) against the amended transport ordinance and heavy fines for traffic rule violations, while IG Punjab has said they will not be blackmailed.
Transporters from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also announced that they will fully support the wheel-jam strike on December 8.
According to the chairman of the United Transport Association, all bus stands will remain closed today. This strike will be across Punjab and may continue indefinitely, he added.
He said that the government should understand the difficulties of transporters because imposing a fine of Rs2,000 on a motorcyclist earning Rs25,000 a month is an injustice.
Goods transporters have also announced support for the strike called by the Pakistan United Transporters Action Committee.
Transporters’ leaders said that all terminals will be completely closed on December 8, saying the new laws and fines introduced by the Punjab Assembly are reprehensible because they are placing an unnecessary burden on transporters.
They said that amending the laws is tantamount to economic murder for transporters.
They demanded that the government immediately withdraw these cruel measures as ignoring public interest in government decisions is unacceptable.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Pakistan Transport United Action Committee held a press conference in Lahore and demanded that the Punjab government immediately withdraw the Traffic Ordinance 2025. They said that the Traffic Ordinance 2025 is not acceptable, heavy fines are being collected through the ordinance, and this is an injustice to transporters.
IG Punjab on strike call
On the other hand, regarding the transporters’ strike call warnings, IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar said that in civilized countries, compliance with the law is supported.
He said that driving without a licence is tantamount to inviting death and accidents, adding they will not be blackmailed on the safety of school children’s lives.
