KARACHI: The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance on Sunday announced suspending its nine-day nationwide strike for 40 days after the federal and Sindh governments gave assurances on key demands including petroleum pricing.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, alliance president Malik Shahzad Awan said that the federal and provincial governments have assured to resolve key issues including toll tax reduction, parking issues, petroleum pricing and axle load limits.
He noted that several issues had already been resolved by the federal and provincial governments, while others would be taken up at the cabinet level — for which assurances had also been given.
He said committee meetings would continue and expressed hope that all commitments and promises would be honoured.
“We are not ending the strike — we are postponing it,” Awan said, adding that if the assurances were not implemented, the alliance could register its protest again.
Aleem gave assurances that a committee would be formed to review and reduce toll taxes, that petroleum prices would be revised every 15 days or monthly rather than daily, and that 10-wheeler trucks would be allowed to carry appropriate weight limits, he added.
The Sindh government also gave assurances that the parking issue would be resolved, said Shahzad.
Sindh Governor Hashmi said the regional situation was extraordinary and that the economic impacts of the ongoing conflict were being felt not just in Pakistan but worldwide.
He said the prime minister and Field Marshal were making efforts to ensure that the positive effects of recent developments reached the public. “Both sides agreed that they are ready to make every sacrifice for the country,” he said.
