Transporters join traders in nationwide strike over Finance Bill

(Web Desk): All goods transport associations across the country have announced a nationwide wheel-jam (transport shutdown) strike on July 19.

The President of the Karachi Goods Carrier Association stated that the transport community stands in solidarity with traders, and that no supply or vehicles will operate anywhere in the country on July 19. He added that if traders demand an extension of the strike, the transporters are ready to continue it for a longer period.

While expressing solidarity with industrialists at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, Karachi Goods Carrier Association President Malik Sher Khan declared that the transport community is united with the traders. He reiterated that no transportation or supply will run nationwide on July 19, and that they are fully prepared to extend the strike if the traders call for it.

He further stated that all transporters will participate in the Karachi Chamber of Commerce’s strike on July 19. The wheel-jam strike will continue until the Chamber’s demands are met, and goods transport will remain suspended across the country.

At the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, presidents of various goods transport associations from across Pakistan held a joint press conference alongside the Chamber’s president. They expressed their support for the Chamber’s strike against clauses 37A and 37B of the Sales Tax Act introduced in the Finance Bill.

Javed Balwani, President of the Karachi Chamber, said that if the Finance Minister temporarily suspends their five demands, they are ready to call off the strike. He noted that while they have received repeated calls from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Ministry for negotiations, the Finance Minister has yet to meet with them in Karachi.

Balwani emphasized that during an emergency meeting, it was unanimously decided that while the Chamber is open to negotiations, the condition is that their demands must be immediately put on hold, and only then will the strike be withdrawn.

He added that the transporters have assured them of their full support even if the strike extends further.