Transporters, farmers threaten strike

traders threatened to observe a wheel jam strike across Balochistan for an indefinite period if the government failed to address their grievances. “Government should resolve our issues and accept our demands till July 18, otherwise, we will block all highways in Balochistan as a protest measures,” Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani, the central leader of the transporters in Balochistan announced.

The transporters demanded payment of compensation for the damages of 9 trucks burnt in Harnai district by terrorists and compensation for the damage caused by bursting the tires of 14 other trucks. Haji Mir Daulat Lehri, another leader of the transporters in Balochistan said due to the poor performance of the National Highway Authority (NHA), Panjara Bridge on N65 is yet to be reconstructed which is causing great hardship to them. He also highlighted the slow pace on the reconstruction of six bridges between Othal and Bela on N25, Danasar, Dera Ismail Khan, dilapidated condition and destruction of the highway, Sultan on N40. Destruction of the Ascent and Nushki to Dalbandin highways had compounded the problems of the transporters, he said.

Within Balochistan, FC, customs levies and police check posts should be abolished from all national highways, extortion should also be stopped at Lakpas and Bileli check posts, the transporters demanded. Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani said smuggling should be stopped in the name of sugar and urea fertilizer permits to Afghanistan and the socalled NOC permits being issued to mafias should be banned, which is used to smuggle sugar in dozens of trucks every day through the permits of influential people.

The transporters lamented that smuggling was being done right under the nose of Customs.