Stalemate persists in transporters-govt talks

KARACHI:

The deadlock between the Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) and the Sindh government persisted on Friday, as the wheel-jam strike entered its third consecutive day with no breakthrough in sight.

Commuters across the metropolis continued to face severe hardship as buses, minibuses and coaches largely remained off the roads. At various bus stops, passengers were seen waiting for hours, while many were forced to rely on alternative and often costly transport to reach offices, factories and business centres.

According to transport representatives, talks with the provincial government on their four-point charter of demands remained inconclusive for a second day, leaving the situation unchanged. KTI Vice President Muhammad Ilyas said the strike would continue on Saturday as well.

He said a meeting between a delegation of transporters and the DIG Traffic was expected today (Saturday), adding that the outcome of the talks could determine the next course of action.

He further said that a meeting of transport organisations' representatives would be convened afterwards to decide whether to call off the strike or extend it indefinitely, particularly in view of concerns over e-challan enforcement and other related issues.