goods transporters announce
| |

Goods transporters announce indefinite strike

The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance has announced an indefinite nationwide strike after talks with the federal and Sindh governments failed to resolve their demands.

Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan made the announcement at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, saying transporters would keep their vehicles off the roads from August 8 until the government formally accepted their demands through official notifications.

Awan said a meeting held on Friday included senior officials from both the federal and Sindh governments, including the communications minister, communications secretary, National Highway Authority chairman, inspector general of motorways, Karachi commissioner, transport secretary, excise secretary and senior traffic officials. However, the talks failed to produce an agreement.

He said the alliance would observe a peaceful wheel-jam strike by parking trucks and trailers instead of blocking roads. However, he warned that transporters could move their vehicles onto roads if authorities tried to intimidate or arrest their leaders during the protest.

According to Awan, vehicles carrying import and export containers will continue operating until August 10 to allow cargo already in transit to reach its destinations.

The transporters have also formed a committee to negotiate with the government. Awan warned that if their demands were not accepted within two days, the protesters would march towards the governor houses in all provinces.

He said the committee would not negotiate with officials who had previously made commitments to transporters but failed to fulfil them.

Awan also called for the resignation of the federal petroleum minister, Punjab’s transport and mass transit minister and the Punjab senior minister.

Highlighting the financial pressure on the transport sector, he claimed that a single trailer pays around Rs2.4 million in annual toll taxes while transporters also face e-challans, adding to their difficulties.

He warned that the ongoing dispute could negatively affect the national economy and urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the crisis.

Other transport leaders, including Malik Sher Khan, Ghulam Yasin and Nadeem Akhtar Arain, also attended the press conference.

Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association urged the Ministry of Petroleum to review the mechanism used to determine fuel prices. In a letter sent to the petroleum minister on August 7, the association’s vice chairman expressed concern over delays in implementing agreements reached between the government and petrol pump owners.

Similar Posts

  • |

    England fast bowler John Turner retires at just 25

    England fast bowler John Turner has announced his shock retirement from professional cricket at the age of 25, bringing the curtain down on a promising five-year career. Turner, who represented England in two ODIs and two T20Is in 2024, made the difficult decision after a prolonged battle with injuries kept him away from professional cricket since June last year. The Hampshire fast bowler suffered a stress fracture in his back, an injury that forced him to spend more than a year on the sidelines. Despite having two years remaining on his Hampshire contract and holding an England and Wales Cricket Board development contract until the end of last year, Turner decided that it was time to move on. Explaining his decision, Turner said the repeated injuries had made him think seriously about his future both as a cricketer and beyond the sport. “Playing professional and international cricket was always my dream,” Turner said, describing representing Hampshire and England as the fulfilment of childhood ambitions. He admitted that retirement was one of the toughest decisions of his life but said he believed it was the right moment to take on a new challenge. Turner made his first-class debut for Hampshire in 2021 and described his five years with the club as the best period of his life. He also thanked Hampshire’s management, coaches, teammates and supporters for their unwavering backing. His retirement brings a surprisingly early end to the career of a bowler who had once earned an international opportunity at just 23.

  • | | |

    Pakistan celebrates Eid Milad-un-Nabi with religio…

    ISLAMABAD: Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), marking the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed across Pakistan with deep religious devotion, respect and enthusiasm. The day began with a gun salute, while mosques, streets, public buildings and residential areas have been illuminated and decorated to mark the occasion. Special Milad gatherings, Naat recitations and religious programmes are being held in cities and towns across the country. In Karachi, streets and neighbourhoods have been adorned with colourful lights, while models of the Holy Kaaba and Masjid al-Nabawi (PBUH) have been displayed at several locations. Religious gatherings and processions are also being organised in different parts of the city. Lahore has also been decorated for the occasion, with mosques, homes, roads and government buildings illuminated. Special prayers are being offered for Pakistan’s peace, progress and prosperity. The city’s main procession is scheduled to begin from Railway Station Chowk. In Peshawar, devotees are arranging Naat Khawani and Milad gatherings to pay tribute to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), while Quetta has also been illuminated for the celebrations. The main gathering in Quetta is scheduled to take place at Bacha Khan Chowk. Islamabad is witnessing similar celebrations, with the capital decorated with lights and religious gatherings being organised at mosques. Devotees are expressing their love and reverence for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) through prayers, Naat recitations and processions. The main Eid Milad-un-Nabi procession in Karachi is scheduled to leave Shaheed Masjid in Kharadar at 2:30pm. It will pass through New Memon Mosque before concluding at Gulzar-e-Habib Mosque around Asr prayer time. Processions and religious programmes are also being held in other cities. To facilitate the celebrations, K-Electric has announced that no load-shedding will be carried out across Karachi on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi.

  • | |

    AJK election commission revises third-phase pollin…

    The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has revised the schedule for the third phase of the Legislative Assembly elections. Polling in Poonch and Sudhanoti districts has been postponed. The election commission has now decided to hold the third phase in Bagh and Haveli districts. Under the earlier schedule, polling was planned for August 10. Voting was expected to take place across 11 seats in four districts of the Poonch division. The election authorities have now changed the plan. The new schedule will cover constituencies in Bagh and Haveli. The first two phases of the AJK elections have already been completed. The first phase was held on July 27 in the Mirpur Division. The second phase took place on August 2 in the Muzaffarabad Division. The elections are being closely watched because of the political contest between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party. The PML-N has emerged as the leading party in the first two phases. Its leaders have claimed that the party has secured enough support to form the next AJK government. In the second phase, voting was held in 21 constituencies. Nine seats were located in the Muzaffarabad Division. Twelve seats were reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in different parts of Pakistan. According to unofficial and provisional results, the PML-N won 15 of the 21 seats. The PPP secured the remaining six seats. The PML-N had also performed strongly during the first phase. Unofficial results showed the party winning nine constituencies. The PPP won four seats. The election process has also been accompanied by allegations of irregularities and violence. The PPP has questioned the fairness of the elections and accused the authorities of failing to ensure a transparent process. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has strongly criticised the election process. He described the polls as unfair and alleged that violence and irregularities affected the voting. Bilawal also said the PPP would continue its political struggle despite the party’s performance in the elections. He claimed that the federal government would face political challenges in the future. The PML-N has rejected the allegations. PML-N leader and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah challenged the PPP to present evidence of electoral irregularities before the election commission. He said accusations should be supported by evidence. He also accused the PPP of promoting allegations of rigging from the beginning of the election process. The revised schedule has now shifted attention towards Bagh and Haveli. The election authorities are expected to provide further details about polling arrangements and the dates for voting in the postponed constituencies.

  • | | |

    Houthis claim two hypersonic missiles fired at Mok…

    SANAA: Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed it launched two hypersonic ballistic missiles towards the strategically important Mokha port on the Red Sea coast, adding to growing security concerns around one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, the Yemeni military said the two missiles were fired towards Mokha port and the surrounding Red Sea area. However, there was no immediate independent confirmation of whether the missiles reached their intended targets or were intercepted before impact. No casualties or material damage were immediately reported following the alleged missile launches. Mokha, located on Yemen’s western coastline, is an important port area overlooking the Red Sea. The region has remained highly sensitive amid continuing tensions and repeated missile and drone attacks linked to the wider Middle East conflict. The latest claim is likely to raise fresh concerns over maritime security in the Red Sea, where attacks on commercial shipping have previously disrupted international trade and forced some vessels to consider longer alternative routes. The Houthis have repeatedly used missiles and drones in attacks around the Red Sea, saying their operations are connected to the broader regional conflict. Such incidents have drawn international attention because the waterway is a major passage for cargo and energy shipments between Asia, Europe and other global markets. For now, key details surrounding Monday’s alleged attack remain unclear, including the exact type of missiles used, their intended targets and whether any interception took place. The Houthi claim has not been independently verified, and further information from Yemeni authorities or other sources is expected to clarify what happened. With tensions already high across the region, the reported launch underscores the continuing risks facing ports and shipping lanes along the Red Sea.

  • |

    Fatima Zahra makes history with Commonwealth medal

    Islamabad: Pakistan’s rising boxing star Fatima Zahra has created history by guaranteeing the country’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after a commanding 5-0 victory over Jordan Wilson of New Zealand in the women’s 60kg quarter-final. Fatima delivered another dominant performance to book her place in the semi-finals, ensuring at least a bronze medal for Pakistan. She began her campaign with an impressive opening-round victory over Real Ebuoha of Lesotho, where the referee stopped the contest early after Fatima completely outclassed her opponent. With back-to-back dominant wins, Fatima has emerged as one of Pakistan’s standout athletes at the Games. Her remarkable achievement also makes her the first Pakistani woman in history to win a boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games. The historic feat marks a major milestone for women’s boxing in Pakistan and is expected to inspire a new generation of female athletes across the country.

  • | |

    US imposes fresh sanctions on Mahan Air allies

    The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on an international network accused of supporting Iran’s Mahan Air, alleging the airline has played a key role in transporting personnel, weapons, and drones linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In a statement, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against six individuals and entities based in China, India, Russia, and Iran. The targeted network is accused of facilitating operations for Mahan Air despite existing US and European sanctions on the carrier. According to US officials, several of the sanctioned companies acted as sales agents for Mahan Air, helping the airline maintain international operations and evade restrictions imposed by Western governments. Washington has repeatedly accused Mahan Air of providing logistical support to the IRGC by transporting military personnel, weapons, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Iran has consistently denied similar allegations in the past. The latest sanctions come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran following recent drone attacks targeting gas-carrying vessels at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta. The incident has raised concerns that the confrontation between the two countries could expand into a new area of conflict. The US said the new measures are aimed at disrupting financial and commercial networks that support Iran’s sanctioned aviation sector and limiting its ability to conduct activities viewed as a threat to regional security.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *