The transporters of goods throughout Pakistan have canceled their strike at the national level after successful negotiations with the provincial authorities in Karachi, which provides relief to a tense business sector for four days of trade and logistics interrupted.
The strike, which began earlier this week, was caused by the implementation of the Sindh government of the physical conditioning regulations of stricter vehicles. The application led to an accumulation of thousands of containers in ports and warehouses, significantly affecting the country’s supply chain and the alarm between merchants and exporters.
The regulations were introduced in response to a strong increase in fatal traffic accidents in Karachi, many of which involved heavy vehicles, such as Dumpers and water oil tankers.
After the conversations on Saturday, the Karachi commissioner, Syed Hassan Naqvi, confirmed that transporters had agreed to cooperate with government security measures.
“Transporters [association] They have secured their full cooperation to [the] Provincial government and division administration in rectification failures in heavy vehicles in due time, ”Naqvi told Dawn.com.
In a statement issued by the commissioner’s office, it was announced that carriers would submit weekly reports to the deputy inspector of the Traffic Police and refrain from operating any vehicle “without worthy of the road.”
“ Heavy vehicles tax will be released immediately, except those that are in very ruined conditions, for which [the] The release of confiscated vehicles will be carried out after providing an affidavit that the vehicle will not be brought on the road, unless it is clarified by inspection of the motor vehicle, ”added the statement.
The president of the Association of Transportation Assets (TGA), Tariq Gujjar, said that the authorities recognized the demands of carriers as “legitimate” and granted a six -month timeline to implement reforms, including the improvements of vehicle inspections.
He pointed out that the government has increased the number of motorized vehicle inspectors to 25 and has promised to hire additional 25 to address delays in the issuance of physical conditioning certificates.
“These inspectors will visit their offices for the issuance of computerized physical conditioning certificates,” Gujjar said.
In an attempt to address long -term security and congestion concerns, the TGA also proposed to relocate central areas such as Saddar and Tariq Road on the outskirts of Karachi, as well as dedicate specific routes for heavy vehicles and reserve lanes for motorcycles in industrial areas.
The Association maintained discussions with the Minister of the Local Government of Sindh, Saeed Ghani, who transmitted that Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah had recognized the seriousness of the situation. Gujjar added that merchant associations had reached Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking federal intervention on the “abrupt” application of the new regulations.
The resolution of the dispute is expected to restore normality to commercial and transport operations of the country, while preparing the scenario to improve road safety measures in the coming months.
