LCCI stands committed to safeguarding transport sector: Saigol

LAHORE: President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol, has said that the pressing issues confronting Pakistan’s transport sector require immediate attention, otherwise this vital industry may plunge into a complete crisis.

He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Transport United Action Committee. The delegation was led by Executive Committee Member Riaz Shahid. Other members included Nabeel Tariq, Tanveer Ahmed Jutt, Bao Irfan, and representatives of the transport community.

The delegation members said that for the past two decades, the industry has been suffering under an unbearable burden of taxes, penalties, fees, and the cost of petroleum products. Instead of bringing relief, the current government has further increased these costs, resulting in deteriorating vehicle conditions, delayed salaries of drivers and almost a complete shutdown of business operations due to mounting expenses such as insurance and installment payments.

The delegation warned that excessive toll taxes, entry fees, heavy fines by highway authorities, exploitation in the name of overloading and huge increases in token tax have brought transport owners and drivers to the brink of starvation. If immediate relief is not granted, they said that all transport operations across the country will be suspended from December 08, 2025, and the government will be held fully responsible.

The delegation presented its Charter of Demands, calling for the restoration of route permit fees to pre-2025 levels, abolition of Lahore Ring Road toll plaza, reversal of the recent increase in token tax, elimination of non-essential fines and charges, along with a reduction in fuel prices and motorway toll taxes. They also demanded an end to the mandatory enforcement of M-Tag and unnecessary penalties imposed under road safety regulations.

The LCCI president said the transport sector is the economic lifeline of the country, and if it comes to a halt, industrial and commercial activities will collapse, and the supply chain will be severely disrupted.

Saigol assured the transporters that the Chamber will raise their legitimate concerns at all relevant forums. He said LCCI stands committed to safeguarding the transport industry because it keeps the wheels of the national economy running.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025