Transporters Launch Wheel-Jam Strike Across Punjab

News Desk 

Islamabad: Punjab’s transport sector came to a standstill on Monday as transporters observed a wheel-jam strike to protest what they termed “unfair and excessive” fines introduced under the new Traffic Ordinance 2025.

 The protest has halted public transport across the province, with transporters demanding that the government immediately withdraw the ordinance.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Lahore, leaders of the Pakistan Transport United Action Committee rejected the ordinance outright, alleging that the government was using it to impose exorbitant penalties on drivers.

“Public transport will remain suspended until the ordinance is withdrawn,” the representatives announced, adding that goods transport, minibuses, loaders, rickshaws, and all intra-city, inter-district, and inter-provincial transport services would remain shut under the strike.

The first round of negotiations between transporters and the Punjab government ended inconclusively, and another meeting is scheduled for today at 2pm.

Responding to the strike, Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar dismissed the protest as an attempt to exert “blackmailing” pressure on law enforcement.

“Driving without a licence is tantamount to inviting death and accidents,” the IGP said, stressing that the police would continue enforcing traffic laws without compromise. He added that in civilised countries, laws are upheld rather than challenged through strikes, and described unlicensed driving as a “licence to kill.”

Last week, Punjab police issued at least 63,970 challans worth over Rs80 million within 24 hours as part of its crackdown on traffic violators.

According to a police spokesperson, 28,000 challans were issued in a single day for helmet violations, while 4,312 were issued for other traffic breaches. Police also confiscated 23,904 vehicles during the operation. Input from Geo News website.