Goods Transporters call off strike

ISLAMABAD: Goods Transporters Association has ended their strike following successful negotiations with the two-member committee formed by the prime minister to resolve the issue, Geo News reported.

Office-bearers of Goods Transporters Association held talks with two-member committee comprising Federal Minister Babar Khan Ghauri and State Minister Abbas Khan Afridi here on Wednesday night.

During more than 3-hour talks, Goods Transporters presented their 15-point demands before the committee.

Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri deferred fine on load exceeding the limits for two months. He said cases against office-bearers of goods carriers would be withdrawn, adding containers would not be taken from transporters to block to roads.

KPT would provide Rs20 million to Sindh police for the purchase of containers, the minister said.

Babar Ghauri assured the transporters for elimination of illegal toll plazas besides enhancing security on the roads.

It is to be mentioned here that taking notice of goods transporters' strike, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had formed a two-member committee to resolve the issue.

The premier directed both the members to reach Karachi and resolve the issue immediately.

The strike by the United Goods Transporters Alliance continued for 11 days.

According to the alliance, the strike was being observed over lack of security and load limits set by the motorway police along with the fines being issued.