Mini Mazda Association ends protest after talks

Transporters warn of coming onto roads again if authorities violate agreement

LAHORE: Mini Mazda Goods Transport Association ended their daylong protest after ‘successful’ negotiations with the Capital City Police Officer.

The protest at Babu Sabu, Sabzi Mandi and other points of the city caused massive traffic jam on different roads. The citizens remained stuck for hours on Band Road, Ferozpur Road, GT Road, Oufall Road and other adjacent routes.

Horns and bumper-to-bumper traffic on these roads was the order of the day and many commuters were late in reaching their offices or other destinations.

President of the association Chaudhry Sher Ali told The Express Tribune that they had reached an agreement that mini mazdas would not be allowed entry on busy roads from 12 pm to 5 pm.  Ali warned that if the authorities violated the agreement, they would again come onto the roads and block traffic.  “Authorities made the false presumption that nobody was behind the organisation. Monday’s protest has proven that thousands of people are behind them.”



He further stated that traffic congestion was caused by encroachments, illegal parking and other factors. “Rather than resolving these major issues, authorities have banned the entry of our vehicles into the city and started impounding the buses.”

Previously city traffic police had banned entry of mini mazdas into the city. The ban had infuriated the transporters. A week ago, Mini Mazda Goods Transporters Association and All Pakistan Trawler Motor Association held a protest at Sabzi Mandi, Ravi Road.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2017.