Transport owners end strike

LAHORE:Transport owners Thursday called off a wheel-jam strike across the country after successful negotiation between Pakistan Transporters Alliance and Punjab governor.

Asamat Ullah Khan Naizi, head of Rahber Committee of transport owners, called off the strike after the negation. According to him, all demands regarding imposition of heavy fines, challans, heavy toll taxes, etc. have been accepted by the government.

Passengers traveling from Lahore to other parts of the country faced problems due to the strike across the country. Transport associations observed strike against increase in fine, challans and heavy toll taxes. The passengers kept going from one bus stand to other in the City.

Talking to The News, passenger Zulfiqar Ali said that he wanted to travel to Rahim Yar Khan, but he could not buy ticket from Bilal Daeewoo. He wanted to visit his ailing mother in Rahim Yar Khan. He was worried over the situation. Another passenger, Muhammad Tufail, standing on Faisal Movers Station in Lahore said he wanted to go to Islamabad to attend a business meeting but he could not fine ticket from Faisal Movers as the bus service was suspended.

A family of four members standing on General Bus Stand Lahore said they wanted to go Dera Ismail Khan to attend a marriage ceremony. According to Sherazi, the member of the family, said because of the strike they could not attend the ceremony. There was a great rush of passengers at railway station after the strike. The train run between Lahore to Rawalpindi has room for 600 passengers while more than 2,000 people boarded on the train. The passengers complained about the incompetence of the government and demanded for solving problem.

Azam Khan Niazi, Chairman, of All Pakistan Transport Owners Federation (APTOF) said: “We are facing loss due to heavy fines by the government. It is pertinent to mention here that transport owners were allegedly tortured by the police at Niazi Bus Stop after that the transport ownershad blocked road Yateem Khan Chowk.