Key Takeaways
- Transporters claim Rs 800 million loss due to vehicle seizures in Islamabad.
- Over 1,000 vehicles, including cargo and commercial trucks, have been seized.
- President of All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association demands immediate vehicle release and compensation.
Transporters in Pakistan have reported significant financial losses, estimating a total of Rs 800 million due to the government's ongoing crackdown on goods transport vehicles in Islamabad.
According to the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association, more than 1,000 vehicles, including containerized cargo vehicles, flatbed trailers, Mazda trucks, and 10-wheelers, have been seized in Islamabad and other districts.
The seized vehicles are primarily carrying cargo, raising concerns about potential damage to goods and delays in delivery, as well as the inability to reach their intended destinations.
President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry of the association called for the immediate release of loaded vehicles to prevent further financial losses, stating that reports suggest the government is hiring vehicles at a rate of Rs 20,000 per day but has not contacted or compensated transporters for the seized vehicles.
Chaudhry expressed concern that any funds provided to government institutions in the name of transporters may not reach the actual vehicle owners, emphasizing the need for transparent compensation processes.
He demanded a minimum compensation of Rs 20,000 per day for empty vehicles and an end to the use of private commercial vehicles to prevent protests or sit-ins.
Chaudhry also called for full protection, food, and other basic facilities for the detained vehicles and their drivers, noting that drivers have remained at different locations for extended periods to protect the vehicles.
The transporters have demanded that the government obtain complete records of vehicles seized from police stations, calculate compensation at Rs 20,000 per day based on the number of days each vehicle has been held, and release all vehicles immediately.
