KARACHI: The country’s poor economy is undergoing another bad period, as the strike of United Goods Transporters Association (UGTA) and its other ally bodies has entered the seventh consecutive day.
The leaders of transporters’ bodies, during the demonstration at Kharadar truck stand, have vowed to continue their strike till the fulfilment of their demands.
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Addressing to the protesting transporters, UGTA Chairman Yaseen Khan Niazi said that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui just paid lip service and did not address their issues.
“Both the government officials during the discussion held at Governor House on Monday had assured the transporters’ delegation of addressing their grievances, but they did not take any practical step so far,” he added.
He further said that FBR has accepted the transporters’ legal demands and decreased the advance tax on weight by Re1, however; their core demand from the government was to retrieve the land of Karachi Fisheries from the land mafia, which was allotted to the transporters for parking their vehicles in 1996.
The transporters’ leaders including Transporters Goods Association (TGA) President Haji Anwar Khan Niazi, TGA General Secretary Madad Khan Niazi and others in their addresses pledged to stick with their demands.
They were of the view that none of the government officials has taken notice of the strike, adding that the transporters and their families are suffering from mental agony as no loading vehicle could come on the road for the last seven days.
Furthermore, billions of rupees loss to importers and exporters has already been reported during the strike. The consignments of goods are stuck on the ports and the exporters and importers have to pay enough amounts as demurrage.
The business community has termed the strike ‘a conspiracy’ against exporters. It further said that the orders of exports are being affected badly by the strike and the exporters could not able to fulfil their commitments. It urged the transporters alliance and government to resolve the issue amicably through talks.
