Punjab government announces end to nationwide transport strike

Four joint committees to engage transporters and address regulatory and operational issues

Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb on Thursday announced the end of the nationwide transport strike after negotiations with transporters, stating that four joint committees would address the sector’s concerns.

Transporters withdrew the strike after concluding negotiations with the Punjab government, following talks between representatives of the All Pakistan Transporters and Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb.

The decision followed talks addressing transporters’ concerns. In a joint statement, transporters said the strike was called off after receiving government assurances and agreed to continue discussions through formal committees.

 

الحمدللہ، وزیراعظم شہباز شریف اور وزیراعلی مریم نواز کی راہنمائی اور ملک کے تمام ٹرانسپورٹرز کے تعاون سے ٹرانسپورٹ کی ملک گیر ہڑتال ختم ہوگئی ہے جس پر ٹرانسپورٹرز سمیت مذاکرات کے تمام شرکاء کا شکریہ ادا کرتے ہیں۔ گڈز، منی مزدا، پبلک ٹرانسپورٹ اور سٹاف ڈیوٹی وہیکل کمیٹیوں کے ذریعے…

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) December 18, 2025

The strike was called to demand amendments to transport laws, the withdrawal of FIRs and fines against drivers and vehicle owners, and allocation of designated space for containers at ports. Transporters also sought clearance of vehicles stranded at the Pakistan-Afghan border and deployment of mobile licensing units on highways and motorways to issue LTV and HTV driving licences.

Read: 'Transporters' strike disrupts supply chain'

In Sindh, the strike disrupted cargo movement from Karachi Port and Port Qasim, causing a major backlog of containers. The All Pakistan Customs Agents Association reported that around 25,000 import containers, including edible oil, industrial raw materials, and consumer goods, were awaiting clearance, while nearly 15,000 export containers did not reach the ports. Business leaders warned that the halt in transportation had put trade and industry under pressure, with exporters facing the risk of missed shipment deadlines and financial losses.

According to a statement from the government’s office, the transporters welcomed the decision to grant industry status to the transport sector and agreed to a joint review of the Traffic Ordinance 2025. Four joint committees covering goods transport, mini-mazda transport, public transport, and staff-duty vehicles have been formed to work with stakeholders and prepare recommendations for the sector.

The committees will operate throughout the year and will review transport-related issues in coordination with the government. Representatives of the All Pakistan Transporters are expected to visit Lahore in the coming days to continue consultations.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said the strike had ended following negotiations and that the government would continue talks to resolve outstanding issues. She added that deadlock is not in anyone’s interest and improvement can only come through engagement.

Aurangzeb said the transport and traffic system will be developed according to international best practices, with a focus on safety and operational efficiency. She noted that 2.1 million driving licences have been issued following recent reforms, as many drivers had previously been operating without licences.

Read More: Goods transporters’ strike chokes trade as containers pile up at ports

She described the ongoing reforms as the first phase of a broader process and added that transport-related issues in areas such as Badami Bagh and Chiniot would be addressed as a priority. Plans are also underway for a modern bus terminal and four vehicle inspection stations.

The senior minister said drivers would not be fined unnecessarily and confirmed that a proposal for a new transport-related scheme has been approved. She added that steps are being taken to modernise the sector, including technology-based enforcement measures such as e-challan systems.

Transporters said they had conveyed their concerns to the government and expressed willingness to continue dialogue through the newly formed committees.