Goods Transporters to Suspend Services and Begin Nationwide Wheel-Jam Strike Amid Failed Negotiations with Federal Government.

On Friday night, goods transporters and oil tanker operators halted their services after their negotiations with the federal government collapsed. The United Body of Transporters announced that the wheel‑jam would go ahead on Saturday, following the failure of talks with Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan. All Pakistan Goods Transport Itehad spokesman and All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association president Mohammad Owais Chaudhry Advocate said the talks ended without a breakthrough. He noted that the transporters—including edible oil tanker operators, petroleum oil tanker operators, truckers, trailer operators and other intercity transporters—would continue their strike until the government accepted their demands. The minister has promised to replay the discussion, with the next round scheduled for Monday morning. The unified body had previously warned that the strike would be indefinite, not a token protest. Commercial goods carriers across the country are already off the roads and will remain parked at designated locations during the protest period, Chaudhry explained. Transporters demand several changes, including uniform enforcement of axle‑load limits, permission for 10‑wheel vehicles to carry up to 35 tonnes, reductions in diesel prices and toll taxes, relief from withholding tax, and withdrawal of customs provisions that allow vehicle confiscation. They also seek the removal of Punjab Highway Patrol powers to issue challans, an end to what they describe as unreasonable fines on motorways, and easier issuance of heavy‑vehicle licences.