Punjab goods transporters end five-day strike after talks with govt

Marriyum Aurangzeb met transporters’ representatives as Punjab CM forms committee to resolve issues

Punjab’s goods transporters announced the end of their five-day strike on Friday following successful negotiations with the provincial government, agreeing to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue.

The strike, which began on December 8, was staged in protest against the Punjab Traffic Ordinance 2025, alleged bribery by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), unjustified challans, legal cases, and vehicle seizures by traffic and motorway police. The shutdown severely disrupted the province’s supply chain, affecting the availability of goods in markets.

Transporters’ representatives met with Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who chaired the talks following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The discussions concluded with a reconciliation agreement signed by Haji Sher Ali Chaudhry, central president of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, along with other officials.

A committee, headed by Marriyum and including representatives from the transport sector, has been formed to address the transporters’ concerns. Its first meeting is scheduled for Saturday, where further discussions between the minister and transporters will continue.

Welcoming the decision, Aurangzeb said all matters would be resolved through “mutual understanding”, emphasising that the government’s objective was to protect human life and improve conditions for all citizens.

Haji Sher Ali Chaudhry expressed hope that the newly formed committee, established under the CM’s orders, would effectively address the transporters’ issues. “Promises made to transporters have not been fulfilled so far, but we hope the committee will help resolve our problems,” he stated.

Other transporter representatives present included Muhammad Riaz Khan Tajik, Chaudhry Maqbool Hussain, Rana Tariq Mushtaq, Malik Ijaz, Malik Maroof, Saif Shah Deen Gujar, Faisal Basheer Bhatti, Malik Javed, and Haji Pervez Awan.

Business community warns of supply chain crisis

Earlier on Friday, business groups expressed concern over the economic fallout from the strike. Sheikh Umair Saeed, President of the Multan Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (MCSTSI), urged the Punjab government to intervene immediately to restore the province’s supply chain.

He warned that small and medium traders, shopkeepers, and factory owners were suffering losses due to acute shortages of stock, with several industrial units remaining closed for three days, impacting production and employment.

Similarly, the All Pakistan Bedsheets & Upholstery Manufacturers Association (APBUMA) called for urgent government action. In a joint statement, Chairman Imran Mehmood Sheikh, Senior Vice Chairman Syed Muhammad Ahsan Shah, and Patron-in-Chief Syed Muhammad Asim Shah noted that hundreds of vehicles carrying export consignments and raw materials were stranded.

They warned that factories were unable to continue production, while demurrage and detention charges were mounting, increasing the risk of cancelled export orders. “Supply chain disruption is very detrimental, and if immediate remedial steps are not taken, the losses may become unbearable,” the statement said.

APBUMA added that the situation threatened the textile sector, the national economy, and foreign exchange earnings, urging the chief minister to ensure uninterrupted movement of raw materials and finished goods to sustain industrial activity and honour export commitments. They expressed optimism that the government would recognise the gravity of the crisis and act swiftly to restore export container movement.