Pakistan goods carriers have interrupted their nationwide strike after successful negotiations with provincial authorities in Karachi, bringing relief to a business sector strained by four days of disturbed trade and logistics.

The strike, which began earlier this week, was triggered by the Sindh government’s implementation of stricter vehicle fitness rules. The enforcement led to a backlog of thousands of containers in ports and warehouses, which significantly affected the country’s supply chain and raised alarms among traders and exporters.

The rules were introduced in response to a sharp increase in deadly traffic accidents in Karachi, many of which involved heavy vehicles such as dumpers and water tankers.

After conversations on Saturday, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi confirmed that the carriers had agreed to cooperate with the government’s security measures.

“Transportors [association] have secured their full cooperation to [the] Provincial Government and Divisional Administration to correct faults in heavy vehicles in due time, ”Naqvi told Dawn.com.

In a statement from the Commissioner’s Office, it was announced that the carriers would submit weekly reports to the Deputy Inspector of the Traffic Police and refrain from serving any “unworthy” vehicles of the “road.

“⁠Impounded heavy vehicles are being released immediately except those who are in the very dropped state that [the] The release of introduced vehicles is done after furnishing a statement that the vehicle will not be brought on the road unless it is cleared by inspection of motor vehicles, ”the declaration added.

Transport Goods Association (TGA) President Tariq Gujjar said the authorities recognized the carrier’s demands as “legitimate” and awarded a six-month timeline for the implementation of reforms, including improved vehicle inspections.

He noted that the government has increased the number of motor vehicle inspectors to 25 and obliged to hire another 25 to tackle delays in issuing fitness certificates.

“These inspectors will visit their offices for issuing computer -fitness certificates,” Gujjar said.

In an attempt to tackle long -term safety and overload problems, TGA also suggested moving stocks from key areas such as Saddar and Tariq Road to the outskirts of Karachi as well as dedicating specific routes to heavy vehicles and reserving lanes for motorcycles in industrial zones.

The association held discussions with Sindh the local Minister of Government Saeed Ghani, who conveyed this chief minister Murad Ali Shah had acknowledged the severity of the situation. Gujjar added that commercial associations had reached Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and sought federal intervention over the “sudden” enforcement of the new rules.

The dissolution of the dispute is expected to restore normality to the country’s trade and transport operations while seting the stage for improved traffic safety measures in the coming months.