Karachi: A high-level meeting chaired by the Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi was held to discuss the ongoing nationwide goods transporters strike, issues faced by them and their demands.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani, Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the Secretary Communications, Inspector General of the Motorway Police, Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) and other relevant officials attended the meeting.
A delegation of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance also participated in the meeting led by its president Malik Shehzad Akbar.
The participants held detailed discussions on the ongoing transporters’ strike across the country, issues confronting the transport sector and demands put forward by the relevant stakeholders.
Later, briefing the media persons, the Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi said that the positions and demands of all stakeholders have been heard in detail during the meeting.
He said all sides were ready to extend every possible cooperation and make sacrifices in the larger interest of the country and nation.
The Governor said Pakistan and the entire region were currently passing through an extraordinary situation, making national unity, mutual cooperation and prioritising the national interest more important than ever.
He said that the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is working day and night for the betterment, stability and development of the country.
The Governor Hashmi also termed the trilateral defence agreement reached in Makkah an important development for regional peace and stability, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have played key roles in the development.
He stressed that under the prevailing circumstances all stakeholders would have to resolve their issues through consultation, mutual understanding and by keeping the national interest in view.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said that some demands of the Goods transporters have been accepted and for some others different committees have been formed to resolve them.
He said that the representatives of Sindh and Punjab governments sat together to resolve the problems being faced by the goods transporters.
Replying to a question, he said that the work on Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway will start this year and will be completed in two years. He said that Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway is not in line with standards and a new Motorway will be built.
Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab said that they discussed issues and tried to resolve them in the interest of the country.
The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance President Malik Shehzad Akbar announced that the nationwide goods transporters strike is postponed for 40 days. , which has been continuing for nine days.
He said the decision is made in view of the government and relevant authorities assurances and the progress made towards addressing their concerns.
