RAWALPINDI: Transporters in Rawalpindi are observing a strike against the recent hike in petroleum products, causing immense difficulties to commuters, Geo News reported Monday.
According to sources, on the appeal of Pakistan Transport Welfare Association, transporters throughout Rawalpindi district are observing a wheel-jam strike for an indefinite period against the unprecedented increase in POL prices and heavy fines by the police on traffic violations from today (Monday).
Due to the transport strike, commuters faced difficulties in reaching their destinations; and crowds were witnessed at different bus stops in the twin cities. Some private transport owners tried to run vehicles but they were also forced to shut the service.
At some places, the protesting transporters burnt tyres and blocked the road for traffic.
Pakistan Transport Welfare Association President Raja Ghulam Abbas and General Secretary Babu Rashid Nawaz had said that if their demands were not accepted, they would go for hunger strike and also besiege the President House.
They said that they had repeatedly requested Punjab Chief Ministr Shahbaz Sharif to play his role against increase in the POL and CNG prices but the bureaucracy was creating hurdles and they have not been allowed to meet the chief minister.