Oil tankers and goods transporters threaten to block major highways if demands not met

Amid widespread attacks on oil tankers and goods transport vehicles, various associations have issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the government. They demand that the government address the concerns of the Balochistan Goods Truck Trailer Owners Association.

These associations, including the Oil Tankers Association, Edible Oil Tankers Association, All Pakistan Truck Association, Sindh-Balochistan Mazda Goods Transport, Goods Transport Association, Car Carriers, Water Tankers, Sindh Dumpers, and Karachi Goods Transport Association, have warned that if their demands are not met, they will block major highways across all four provinces.

The transport associations are protesting against load axle restrictions, stating that the cost of operating a ten-wheel vehicle is around Rs3 million. They argue that owners have already updated their vehicles, and these new restrictions will render them idle, causing significant financial losses for both owners and workers.

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In Karachi, citizens frustrated by heavy traffic have taken matters into their own hands, setting multiple freight trucks and water tankers on fire. In response, the Water Tanker Association has suspended the city’s water supply, while transporters have staged sit-ins on major highways.