The All Pakistan Transporters Association Alliance has warned the government of highway blockades if their grievances are not addressed within 72 hours.

At a press conference in Karachi, the chairman of the All Pakistan Oil Tankers Owners Association, Mir Shams Shahwani, said that transporters are facing unfair fines from several authorities, including oil companies, the National Highway Authority, the highway police and the excise police in Sindh, Express News reported.

Shahwani stated that unless the issues were resolved within the given time frame, they would shut down highways to all traffic and halt transport operations across the region.

The threat of such action has raised concerns about the potential disruption of logistics and supply chains in Pakistan.

Present at the conference were several notables from the transport sector including Baktawar Khan Wazir, Chairman of All Pakistan Adbil Oil Owners Association; Haji Liaqat Mehsud, Chairman of All Sindh Truck/Dumper Association; and Abdul Wahid Lari, Chairman of Sindh-Balochistan Mazda Union.

In addition, leaders from All Pakistan Mazda Truck Goods Transport Association, All Water Tankers Owners Association, All Pakistan Awan Goods Association and Karachi Goods Association were present.

The carriers argue that these fines are not only unfair, but also harmful to their businesses, and they are demanding immediate action to resolve the matter before the looming deadline.

Earlier this month, despite a slight increase in the prices of petroleum products, transporters in Rawalpindi hiked fares on all local routes by Rs5 to Rs10, sparking disagreements between passengers and conductors.

Commuters have demanded immediate and strict action against transporters who have not reduced fares and are instead raising them despite several reductions in petrol and diesel prices in the past.

The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and the traffic police took note of complaints from passengers about the unjustified price hike and have issued demands to 14 vehicles.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rawalpindi has made it clear that there is no valid reason for transporters to increase the fares but they are still charging more. This is especially frustrating since they didn’t bother to reduce fares when oil prices fell earlier.

Action will be taken against all public transport vehicles, including buses, minibuses, trolleys, coasters, Toyota Hiaces, Suzuki rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws, taxis, auto-rickshaws and Bykea riders, which increase fares, overload or overload passengers, said he added. Instructions have been issued for immediate action against transport operators who hike fares.

Fares for various routes have been hiked by carriers, with passengers reporting an increase of Rs 5 per trip. trip and specific hikes on routes like Raja Bazaar to Pirwadha, Kachehri, Sihala, Koral Pul and Raja Bazaar to Rawat, Kahuta where local vans have hiked their fares by Rs5 each.