Pakistan Transport Unions Announce Nationwide Strike Over Heavy Fines

Pakistan’s transport unions have announced a nationwide wheel jam strike on December 19, warning that the country could come to a complete halt as they protest against heavy traffic fines, vehicle impoundments and what they call increasing “harassment” by enforcement authorities.

The strike call comes after weeks of negotiations between transport groups and government officials failed to produce relief. Transporters claim the revised fine system has made operations financially unviable, while earlier commitments promised by authorities were “never honored.”

The All Pakistan Transport Federation, joined by inter-city, inter-district, goods transport, and pickup and drop unions, confirmed that all transport services from Khyber to Karachi will stop. This includes buses, wagons, goods carriers, intra city transport, and student and employee shuttle routes.

Union leaders said the shutdown would ripple across the economy, affecting markets, industries, factories, petrol pumps, offices, banks, wholesale markets, and supply chains. A spokesperson stated,

“Pakistan will be completely shut down on December 19 if our demands are ignored.”

Transport representatives insist the strike will continue until the government withdraws the revised challan structure. They accuse law-enforcement of impounding vehicles excessively and issuing heavy fines without due justification.

They added that multiple sectors were consulted before taking this decision, stressing that transporters can no longer operate under what they call “unfair enforcement pressure.”