KARACHI: The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance (APGTA) has issued a strong warning to the federal government, threatening a nationwide strike and an immediate hike in freight rates due to the continuous surge in petroleum prices. Addressing the media, APGTA President Malik Shehzad Awan heavily criticized the federal government’s policy of daily fuel price revisions, stating that these measures are economically crippling and driving transporters toward unemployment.
The impending crisis stems from a 40-day grace period granted to federal and provincial authorities following negotiations during the August strike, which is set to expire next week, prompting warnings that transporters will resume nationwide protests if previous pacts remain unimplemented. Furthermore, the alliance has categorically rejected daily petroleum price fluctuations, reminding the government of a formal promise made by the Petroleum Minister during the August protests to halt this practice. To avert a shutdown, APGTA has demanded that the government either roll back recent fuel hikes or provide comprehensive financial relief, including exemptions and reductions on withholding taxes, toll taxes, and other levies to offset the crisis triggered by previous strikes in August and December.
