Inter-city transporters observe strike

Passengers suffer as inter-city public transporters have observed a complete strike for the second day against exorbitant increases in token tax rate, registration fee, challan fee, toll tax and petroleum products tariffs.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Wednesday, manager of a local inter-city public transport service, Muhammad Hussain, said the government has increased taxes exorbitantly.

Earlier, buses were charged a tax of Rs300 per seat which had been jacked up to Rs8,000 per seat. The rate of toll taxes, challan fee and income tax have also been increased.

Another transporter, Shafiq Ahmad, highlighted that fall of Pakistani rupee against the greenback has further hurting transport sector. Prices of tires and auto parts have also been multiplied owing to rupee depreciation.

“The government has increased tariffs of all items at once. Transporters have left with no other option but to park their vehicles and go on strike. Two days have been passed since public transport operations in the country have been suspended but the government has not paid any attention to the legitimate demands of public transporters,” he said. “We understand the miseries of passengers but this strike could be for indefinite period if the government do not review its decisions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2022.