Public transport is returning to the roads as transporters end a four-day stop-the-wheels strike following talks with the authorities
KARACHI:
For four days, Karachi’s roads echoed with absence. Office workers scrambled for expensive alternatives, students struggled to reach universities and bus stops overflowed with stranded commuters. However, the city finally got some relief when the transport strike, which had disrupted the daily life of thousands, ended after successful negotiations between transporters and the city administration.
The Karachi Transport Ittehad formally called off its four-day wheel stoppage strike after what leaders described as productive talks with the Karachi Commissioner on Sunday. Public transport vehicles, including buses, minibuses and tour buses, are expected to return to the roads and resume normal operations from today (Monday).
A delegation from the Transport Alliance, led by President Haji Tawab Khan and Secretary General Muhammad Ilyas, met with the Karachi Commissioner to discuss a range of issues including vehicle insurance requirements, biometric regulations and what transporters described as excessive fines and enforcement measures. According to transport leaders, several demands were addressed during the meeting, while issues requiring policy decisions from the provincial government were postponed for further discussion.
After the talks, member organizations of Karachi Transport Ittehad held a consultative session at the alliance office on Akbar Road where they unanimously decided to end the strike.
Speaking to the media afterwards, Haji Tawab Khan formally announced the withdrawal of the protest and thanked both public transport and freight transport operators for supporting the movement.
He said some lingering concerns had been resolved immediately, while the authorities had sought additional time to deal with cases falling under the Sindh government’s jurisdiction.
Tawab Khan also apologized to commuters affected by the strike and acknowledged the difficulties faced by thousands of citizens who depend on buses, minibuses and coaches for their daily journeys. “We apologize for the inconvenience to the public, but the heavy fines and other operational challenges left us with no option but to protest.”
The four-day strike had significantly disrupted mobility across Karachi, particularly affecting low- and middle-income commuters who rely on public transport to travel to workplaces, educational institutions and markets.
With the conflict now resolved, transport operators and city officials expressed hope that continued dialogue would help prevent future disruptions and ensure smoother operation of Karachi’s already strained public transport system.
The meeting was attended by the Transport Secretary, Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary, DIG Traffic, Director of Excise and Deputy Commissioner of Keamari, among other officials.
