'Wheel-jam' strike warned: PDA criticised for 'illegal' collection on Hayatabad toll plaza

Local transporters have criticised the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) for collection of additional levy on Hayatabad toll plaza, and warned to observe 'wheel-jam' strike across the province, if the unjust tax was not withdraw immediately. Addressing at a news conference at press club here on Monday, All Sarhad Goods Transport and Adda Owners Federation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Haji Liaqat Ali Khan said PDA had imposed levy on trucks, carrying food and non-food consignments at Hayatabad toll plaza, which was not acceptable to them. He informed that a large number of local vehicles crossed the toll plaza.
He added the authorities charged Rs 110 from small vehicle, while Rs 300 to Rs 500 from eight wheelers trucks. He maintained that the tax was only being imposed on Afghan Transit trade carriages, but imposition of same tax on local transport was against the verdict of Peshawar High Court in that regard.
Similarly, he said tax was also being collected from transporters on four different toll plazas en route from Peshawar Adda to Hayatbad transport by local authorities. He made it clear that additional tax could not be acceptable to them, which should immediately be withdrawn. Flanked by Federation Chairman Haji Noor Mohammad, Senior Vice Pesident Khyber Khan, General Secretary Rizwanullah and others, the transporters leader recalled that incumbent Chief Minister Pervez Khattak had also issued directives for immediate withdrawal of collection of illegal levy on Hayatabad Toll plaza, by following the decision of the superior judiciary. However, he lamented that the directives didn't implement yet. Liaqat Ali has expressed concern over new insurance policy, introduced jointly by Provincial Transport Authority and Regional Transport Authority. He viewed that transporters didn't consult before the passage of the new policy.