Strike Action Paralyzes Services
Transporters across Punjab have brought public and goods movement to a standstill, launching a province-wide wheel-jam strike on Monday. The action is a direct protest against the provincial government’s newly implemented Traffic Ordinance 2025, which the industry has categorically rejected as “unfair.”
Industry Leaders Issue Ultimatum
Addressing a joint press conference in Lahore, leaders of the Pakistan Transport United Action Committee announced the complete suspension of services. They warned that public transport would remain off the roads until the ordinance is withdrawn. The strike has seen participation from goods transporters, mini-buses, loaders, and rickshaws, effectively halting intra-city, inter-district, and inter-provincial transport services.
Failed Talks and Government Stance
The strike follows a failed first round of negotiations between transporter associations and the Punjab government. A second round of talks is scheduled for 2 pm today. Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Usman Anwar has taken a firm stance against the protest, stating that authorities would not bow to “blackmailing” or pressure.
“Driving without a license is tantamount to inviting death and accidents,” the IGP stated, emphasizing that in civilized societies, the law is upheld rather than challenged through strikes. He described unlicensed driving as a “licence to kill,” a practice he claimed exists nowhere else in the world.
Background of the Crackdown
The confrontation stems from an ongoing police crackdown on traffic violations. Last week, Punjab police issued a staggering 63,970 challans worth over Rs80 million within a 24-hour period. A police spokesperson detailed that these included:
- Approximately 28,000 challans for helmet violations.
- Over 4,312 challans for other traffic rule breaches.
- The confiscation of 23,904 vehicles.
Transporters argue that the heavy fines imposed by the new ordinance are unsustainable and punitive, leading to the current deadlock that has paralyzed key transport networks across Pakistan’s most populous province.
