The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association has demanded the immediate release of Rs. 400 million in compensation announced by the government for goods transporters affected by the closure of the M1 and M2 motorways to commercial traffic.
Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said the motorway closures had disrupted transport operations toward Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir. He said more than 2,000 vehicles were currently detained in Islamabad, Taxila, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhelum, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Jatli and Sialkot, and called for the immediate release of loaded vehicles.
The association also demanded compensation of Rs. 20,000 per vehicle per day for empty vehicles that remain detained. Chaudhry warned that continued delays in providing relief could further disrupt supply chains, as many transporters were avoiding routes toward Islamabad and upper Punjab due to uncertainty.
The association said it had raised the issue with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Islamabad police inspector general and other officials. However, Chaudhry said practical measures had yet to be implemented and transporters continued to face serious difficulties.
