Traders and transporters in Punjab have escalated criticism of the provincial government as a wheel‑jam strike entered its sixth day, warning that the halt in goods movement is causing severe economic damage and threatening Pakistan’s international trade commitments.
Background of the strike
The protest began after amendments to the motor vehicle ordinance empowered field officers to levy heavy fines and register FIRs against transporters. While the Mazda Goods Transport Association and the Punjab Goods Transport Alliance said they would end the strike after assurances from Lahore police, major national‑level transport bodies rejected that move and vowed to continue until their demands are met.
Impact on exporters
Azizullah Goheer, Secretary General of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association, told Dawn that consignments imported through Karachi Port and export goods destined for international buyers have been stuck for nearly a week. “We are yet to receive the material lying at the Karachi Port after being imported from various countries. Likewise, the goods we were to send to various international buyers have been lying at factories for the last six days,” he said.
Goheer warned that the strike is causing “financial loss … damaging our credibility and commitment internationally” and that missed vessels are resulting in “a loss of billions.”
Stakeholder reactions
All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan General Secretary Naeem Mir said commercial activity has come to a standstill not only in Punjab but also in Sindh and other provinces, with no goods being transported from Lahore’s wholesale markets to other cities.
Mir criticized the Punjab chief minister’s governance style and urged direct engagement, stating that traders are already worried by repeated visits from department officers and that the strike has “choked business activities across Punjab.”
Lala Yasir Naseer, chief of the All Pakistan Truck Trailer Owners Association, emphasized that the protest is nationwide and will not end until the disputed clauses of the motor vehicle ordinance are suspended. Tariq Gujjar, Chairman of the Transporters of Goods Association, added that trucks and trailers are impounded in Punjab and that all three ports in Karachi are currently non‑operational.
Possible next steps
If negotiations remain stalled, the strike could continue, further deepening losses across supply chains and straining Pakistan’s trade and industrial sectors. Analysts suggest that a suspension of the disputed ordinance clauses or a mediated agreement with transport associations may be necessary to resume normal freight movements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wheel‑jam strike?
The wheel‑jam strike is a protest by transporters and traders against recent amendments to the motor vehicle ordinance, which they say allow field officers to impose heavy fines and file FIRs, leading to a halt in goods movement.
Which groups are participating in the strike?
National‑level transport associations, the All Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran Pakistan, the All Pakistan Truck Trailer Owners Association, and the Transporters of Goods Association continue the strike, while the Mazda Goods Transport Association and the Punjab Goods Transport Alliance have announced they will end their participation following police assurances.
What are the transporters’ main demands?
Transporters are demanding the suspension of the disputed clauses of the motor vehicle ordinance and an end to what they describe as high‑handed enforcement, as well as infrastructure support such as proper parking facilities at Karachi’s ports.
How might this prolonged disruption affect Pakistan’s position in global trade?