Goods Transporters Decry Truck Seizures for Protests

News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Goods transporters have strongly condemned the government’s recurring practice of seizing commercial trucks to block political protesters from entering the federal capital, warning that such measures severely paralyze the national economy.
Representing an estimated 400,000 heavy vehicles excluding oil tankers and mini trucks, the logistics sector forms the backbone of Pakistan’s supply chain, catering to major industries and sustaining millions of direct and indirect jobs.
Trucking associations report that beyond the abrupt commandeering of their vehicles, operators face a litany of longstanding grievances, including unfair taxation, deteriorating road networks, arbitrary excesses by regional transport authorities, and systemic hurdles in obtaining Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) licences.
They argue that despite serving as a critical economic lifeline, the industry continues to suffer from official neglect and punitive administrative actions.
In response to these allegations, the Motorway and Traffic Police rejected claims of administrative apathy, maintaining that clear regulatory frameworks for HTV licensing remain fully operational. Furthermore, law enforcement authorities highlighted the magnitude of road safety challenges, noting that goods vehicles alone have accounted for an alarming seven million traffic violations over the course of the year.
As friction mounts between commercial transporters and regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders are demanding an immediate cessation of vehicle requisitioning for political purposes.
Stakeholders warn that prolonged disruptions to logistics operations risk triggering severe supply shortages and escalating inflationary pressures across consumer markets nationwide.