Shahzad Rasheed
Peshawar: President of Goods Care Association Hussain General Shahid, President of Shaheen Goods Association Haji Waheed Gul, and General Secretary Habib Gul, in a joint statement, said that goods transporters have been forced to stage a protest due to the existing tax SROs, daily changes in petrol and diesel prices, increased toll plaza taxes, alleged harassment by Excise Department officials on roads, and what they described as unjustified challans by traffic police.
President Hussain said that goods transporters are currently paying billions of rupees to the government in various taxes and duties. However, he said, both the provincial and federal governments have failed to provide them with the necessary facilities and support.
He further claimed that more than 5,000 trucks are currently in government custody, describing the situation as unfair and unjust. He said that when goods-laden trucks are detained, the goods are eventually released, but unfortunately the trucks themselves are not released, causing significant financial losses to transporters.
Officials from various trader organizations, along with Sarhad Chamber of Commerce President Junaid Altaf, Senior Vice President Nadeem Rauf and former president Fazal Muqeem, visited the protest camp and expressed solidarity with the transporters.
Addressing the gathering, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce President Junaid Altaf said that goods transportation plays a vital role in trade and economic activity. He urged the government to sit with representatives of the transporters, listen to their grievances and take immediate steps to resolve their problems.
He called on the government to address the transporters’ genuine concerns on a priority basis and resolve the issue through negotiations so that trade and transportation activities could return to normal.
