Karachi, August 16, 2026: The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance on Sunday announced the suspension of its nine-day nationwide strike for 40 days after the federal and Sindh governments gave assurances on key demands, including petroleum pricing, toll taxes, parking facilities and axle load limits.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan said several of the transporters’ demands had already been addressed, while the remaining issues would be taken up at the cabinet level.
Awan said the government had assured the alliance that a committee would be formed to review and reduce toll taxes. He added that petroleum prices would be revised every 15 days or monthly instead of being changed on a daily basis.
He also said assurances had been given regarding axle load limits, with 10-wheeler trucks to be allowed to carry appropriate weight in accordance with the agreed framework.
“The strike is not ending, we are postponing it,” Awan said, warning that the alliance could resume its protest if the government failed to implement the commitments.
He said meetings of the relevant committees would continue and expressed hope that all assurances and promises made by the federal and provincial governments would be honoured.
The Sindh government, he added, had also assured the transporters that the issue of parking facilities would be resolved.
Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi said the region was passing through an extraordinary situation and that the economic consequences of the ongoing conflict were being felt not only in Pakistan but across the world.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir were making efforts to ensure that the positive impact of recent developments reached the people.
“Both sides agreed that they are ready to make every sacrifice for the country,” Hashmi said.
The nationwide strike had disrupted goods transportation across Pakistan for nine days, raising concerns over supply chains, commodity prices and the movement of essential goods. The 40-day suspension provides the government and transporters an opportunity to resolve the outstanding issues through negotiations.
