Transporters to observe countrywide strike on April 10

Transporters affiliated with different associations have announced that they would observe a countrywide wheel-jam strike from April 10 for an indefinite period against the unprecedented hike in petroleum and CNG prices, warning that the strike would continue till restoration of petroleum prices at January-2011 rates.
Addressing at a joint news conference in collaboration with different Transporters Associations here at Peshawar Press Club on Friday, All Pakistan Goods Transport Truck Traveller Association's Central President said that transporters were going to start complete wheel-jam strike for an indefinite period following the decision of Supreme Council Action Committee to protest against gradually increase in petroleum and CNG prices, saying that all Transporters Associations had backed the strike-call on April 10.
He viewed that a considerably increased of fuel prices recorded against the international market for last several weeks, which was totally unjust and unfair with poor masses.
He criticised that government was increasing prices of petroleum and CNG to hide its failure. "We had strongly rejected the unprecedented increase in POL and CNG commodities, he maintained.
On the occasion, Haji Liaqat Ali Khan, President All Sarhad Goods Tranport & ADDA Owners Federation; Chairman All Pakistan Oil Tanker Owners Association Mir Muhammad Yousafzai Shinwari; KP President Nasir Ali Khan; President Mutahida Transport Workers Noor Mohammad Khan Mohmand; President Pak-Afghan Transport Owner Association Mohmmad Noor Ahmadzai, and presidents of different transports associations and a large number transporters were present.
Malik Khawaja said that taxes ratio on petroleum products was very high in the country as compared to international market, whereas the government also receiving millions of rupees direct taxes from transporters at toll plazas, but not provided any security to them.
He appealed to the government to bring down petroleum and CNG prices at par January-2011 rates, saying that comparing local oil production with international market would ultimate suffer the poverty stricken people of the country. Expressing grave concern over illegal collection at toll plaza, he demanded for prompt steps for stoppage of the illegal practice.
He also opposed the mushroom growth of toll plazas at national highways, which were using some people as source of income due to their political influence and demanded immediate removal of illegal toll plaza from Ring road to Jamrud. The transporters condemned the imposing of tax on loading and unloading, which was tantamount to economic genocide of poor transporters and demanded for immediate withdrawal. They also demanded for removal of unnecessary custom and excise check posts, because of which officials were indulged in massive corruption. The transporters warned that in case of the government's failure in acceptance of their demands, they would launch a civil disobedience campaign against it, and not pay any kind of taxes to the government.