Carriers of goods across Pakistan canceled their national strike following successful negotiations with the provincial authorities in Karachi, relieving a sector of companies tense by four days of disturbed trade and logistics.
The strike, which started earlier this week earlier, was triggered by the Sindh government implementation of more strict vehicle fitness regulations. The application has led to a backlog of thousands of containers in ports and warehouses, which has a significant impact on the country’s supply chain and an alarm of traders and exporters.
The regulations were introduced in response to a sharp increase in fatal traffic accidents in Karachi, many of which involved heavy vehicles such as waste and oil tankers.
After discussions on Saturday, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi confirmed that the carriers had agreed to cooperate with government security measures.
“Transporters [association] assured their full cooperation to [the] Administration of the provincial and divisional government in the rectification of the faults of heavy vehicles in due course, “said Naqvi to Dawn.com.
In a statement published by the commissioner’s office, it has been announced that carriers would submit weekly reports to the assistant inspector general of the traffic police and would abstain from driving “road” vehicles.
“Impassive heavy vehicles will be released immediately, with the exception of those in very dilapidated state, for which [the] The release of entered vehicles will be carried out after providing an affidavit that the vehicle will not be driven on the road, unless it is authorized by the inspection of motor vehicles, “added the press release.
The president of the Gooods Association transport (TGA), Tariq Gujjar, said that the authorities have recognized the requests of carriers as “legitimate” and granted a six -month calendar for the implementation of reforms, including improved vehicle inspections.
He noted that the government had increased the number of engine vehicle inspectors to 25 and has committed to hiring 25 others to resolve delays in the issuance of fitness certificates.
“These inspectors will visit their offices for the issuance of computerized fitness certificates,” said Gujjar.
In order to respond to long -term security and congestion problems, the TGA has also offered central areas moving like Saddar and Tariq Road to the periphery of Karachi, as well as to dedicate specific routes for heavy vehicles and reserve tracks for motorcycles in industrial areas.
The association had discussions with the Minister of the Local Government of the Sindh, Saeed Ghani, who expressed that the chief minister Murad Ali Shah had recognized the gravity of the situation. Gujjar added that Trader’s associations had contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, requesting federal intervention on the “brutal” application of new regulations.
The resolution of the dispute should restore the normality of the country’s commercial and transport operations, while preparing the ground to improve road safety measures in the coming months.
