Karachi:
The merchandise transporters have asked the Pakistan army to provide protection after 11 trucks were kidnapped by bandits in the Katcha area near Kashmore earlier this month.
The Karachi Producers Association of the Interine Association Safeer Shaheen and Secretary General Nadeem Akhtar Arain said that transporters from all over the country are deeply concerned about the incident.
“We do not want to damage the country’s economy, but if security is not provided to goods transporters, we will be forced to take extreme measures,” said the carriers of the association.
According to the association, the armed bandits opened indiscriminate fire near the highway, damaging multiple vehicles before kidnapping 11 drivers. “The drivers and their staff have stayed at the mercy of the Dacoits,” they added.
Shaheen said that the attackers also deflate and damaged the tires of several trucks during the assault. “A couple of truck tires costs around RS180,000, and each truck transports 11 pairs. Several vehicles suffered complete damage to the tires,” he said.
The Association revealed that the kidnappers have released a video that threatens to kill drivers if their demand for launching detainees is not met. “If the government does not ensure its recovery, we will reconsider our role in maintaining the economy in operation,” the statement warned.
Shaheen added that Lahore associations, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Muzaffarh, fine and Sahiwal have unanimously agreed to consider stopping transport operations if drivers do not recover and do not enforce security measures.
Asking the Pakistan army to take strict measures against the bandits of the Katcha area and restore road security, the association said: “The situation of the law and order has deteriorated to the point where anyone can interrupt transport operations with impunity.”
