The ongoing government crackdown on goods transport vehicles has caused an estimated Rs. 800 million loss to transporters, with more than 1,000 trucks and other commercial vehicles reportedly seized in Islamabad alone, according to the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association.
Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said the seized vehicles include container carriers, flatbed trailers, Mazda trucks and 10-wheelers.
He said similar seizures have also taken place in Rawalpindi, Jatli, Tarnol, Mandi Bahauddin and other areas as authorities seek to prevent protests and sit-ins from blocking roads.
Transporters Warn of Cargo Losses
Chaudhry said most of the vehicles taken into custody were carrying goods, raising concerns that cargo could be damaged or fail to reach its intended destinations.
He called for all loaded vehicles to be released immediately to prevent further financial losses for transporters and cargo owners.
The association president also claimed that the government was hiring vehicles and paying around Rs. 20,000 per day but said transporters had not been contacted or compensated for vehicles seized during the crackdown.
Association Seeks Transparent Compensation
Chaudhry expressed concern that funds allocated to government institutions in the name of transporters could fail to reach the actual vehicle owners.
He urged the government to prepare a complete record of all seized vehicles and establish a transparent mechanism for calculating and paying compensation.
For empty vehicles, he demanded compensation of at least Rs. 20,000 per day and called for an immediate halt to the use of privately owned commercial vehicles for preventing protests or sit-ins.
Drivers Also Need Basic Facilities
The association also called for proper protection, food and other basic facilities for detained vehicles and their drivers.
Chaudhry said drivers have remained at different locations for extended periods while staying with and protecting the vehicles.
He demanded that the government obtain complete records of vehicles held at police stations, calculate compensation at Rs. 20,000 per day according to the duration of detention, and release all seized vehicles without further delay.
