Pakistan Goods Transporters' Strike Disrupts Cargo Movement

A nationwide strike by goods transporters and oil tankers in Pakistan has disrupted cargo movement to and from the country's ports, threatening industrial and export supply chains.

The strike, which began on Saturday, involves more than 400,000 goods-carrying vehicles and is expected to continue until Monday when talks with the government are scheduled to take place.

Nisar Hussain Jafry, chairman of the Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, said that transporters were dissatisfied with the daily fuel price fixation introduced by the government, which has created uncertainty in transportation charges due to frequent changes in fuel prices.

Jafry also complained about high toll rates and the number of toll plazas, which he claimed have been established at intervals of around 30km. He urged the government to restore the monthly fuel price mechanism and reduce withholding tax on transporters to 2pc from 7pc.