Govt, transporters reach agreement after 9 days of talks

August 18, 2026 (MLN): Talks between the government and the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance concluded successfully after nine days of negotiations, with both sides agreeing on the transporters' demands, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said at a reception hosted in his honour by the Alliance following the agreement.

Abdul Aleem Khan received a warm welcome on arrival at the reception, with transporters showering him with flower petals and chanting slogans in his support, according to the press release. 

President of the Goods Transporters Alliance, Malik Shehzad Awan, presented him with a traditional Sindhi Ajrak and expressed gratitude to the government for accepting the transporters' demands.

Addressing the reception, Abdul Aleem Khan said 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.

He appreciated the sincerity and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the Alliance's leadership, noting that the two sides held discussions for several hours daily over nine days before reaching a successful agreement, which he termed a highly commendable development.

The minister said transporters play a vital role in the national economy and that their cooperation is essential for the country's development.

He assured that not a single unjustified challan would be allowed by the Motorway Police, stating 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 on vehicle weight, speed and other regulations would be ensured at all costs, and urged transporters to strictly comply with the axle-load policy, saying adherence to the prescribed limits was in their own interest, as 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 to ensure their effective implementation.

Aleem Khan said that, if necessary, he would personally stand on the roads and review the problems faced by transporters. He added that the Secretary Communications, Chairman NHA and Inspector General of Motorway Police had already been directed to visit highways and assess transporters' problems on the spot so that appropriate solutions could be identified.

He further said 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.

President of the Goods Transporters Alliance, Malik Shehzad Awan, thanked the government, particularly Abdul Aleem Khan, for taking a personal interest in resolving the transporters' problems, saying the 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.

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