All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance hosted a reception in honour of Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan following the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Government and the Transporters. Federal Minister received a warm welcome upon his arrival, with transporters showering him with flower petals and chanting slogans in his support. President of the Goods Transporters Alliance, Malik Shehzad Awan, presented Abdul Aleem Khan with a traditional Sindhi Ajrak and expressed gratitude to the Government for accepting the Transporters’ demands.
Addressing the reception, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said that all commitments made to the transporters would be fulfilled at all costs. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had assigned him the special task of chairing the Committee constituted to resolve the transporters’ issues which had successfully completed its mandate. Abdul Aleem Khan appreciated the sincerity and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the leadership of the Goods Transporters Alliance. He said that negotiations continued for 9 days, with the two sides holding discussions for several hours each day and ultimately reaching a successful agreement. He termed the successful negotiations a highly commendable development. Federal Minister for Communications said that transporters play a vital role in the national economy and that their cooperation is essential for the country’s development. Abdul Aleem Khan assured the transporters that not a single unjustified challan would be allowed by the Motorway Police. He said that if a vehicle was not violating any traffic rules, there was no question of issuing a challan. He added that compliance with prescribed limits regarding vehicle weight, speed and other regulations would be ensured at all costs. He urged transporters to strictly comply with the axle-load policy, saying that adherence to the prescribed limits was in their own interest. Loading vehicles beyond the permissible weight not only damages the vehicles but also causes serious loss to roads. He said it was the Government’s responsibility to take decisions in the best interest of the country and ensure their effective implementation. Abdul Aleem Khan said that, if necessary, he would personally stand on the roads and review the problems being faced by transporters. He added that the Secretary Communications, Chairman NHA and Inspector General of Motorways Police had already been directed to visit highways and assess transporters’ problems on the spot so that appropriate solutions could be identified. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan further said that complaints regarding weigh stations on highways would be addressed immediately while arrangements were also being made for the issuance of driving licences to drivers through the Motorway Police. He said important policies had been formulated to transform the Motorway Police and the National Highway Authority into more public-friendly institutions.
On the occasion, President of the Goods Transporters Alliance Malik Shehzad Awan thanked the Government, particularly Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan for taking a personal interest in resolving the transporters’ problems. He said the Federal Minister had played an active role and resolved the issues amicably through continuous negotiations. The reception was attended by transporters’ leaders, including Awais Chaudhry Advocate, Imdad Hussain Naqvi, Chaudhry Qamar-ul-Zaman Gill, Azhar Siraj, Rauf Khan Bala, Malik Sher Khan and Malik Haji Farid among others.
