The Punjab government confers industrial status upon the transport sector following discussions.
The Punjab government and transporters have struck a consensus, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif opting to confer industry status upon the transport sector.
Transporters endorsed the chief minister’s decision and conveyed their complete support for the Punjab government’s measures to enhance the transport sector.
A joint declaration by the Punjab government and transporters states that four committees have been established to enhance, develop, and address concerns pertaining to the transport industry. Bilal Akbar, the Punjab Transport Minister, has been designated as the central coordinator.
A meeting presided over by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb included representatives from goods and public transporters, during which the official declaration to terminate the strike was made.
The committees consist of the Goods Transport Committee, Mini Mazda Transport Committee, Public Transport Committee, and Staff Duty Vehicle Committee. The committees will formulate proposals and provide them to Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb.
According to the joint announcement, transporters and government officials will unveil final plans during a news conference next Wednesday. The committees will function permanently to oversee transport-related matters and the execution of recommendations. Proposals will be concluded within three days, and administrative steps will be executed within one month.
Both parties consented to collaboratively assess, enhance, and execute the Traffic Ordinance 2025. The ordinance explicitly excludes any provision pertaining to “diyat” (blood money).
The declaration specified that challans will be issued based on evidence, and once a challan is issued for a violation, it will not be reissued for the same offense within the same trip. The e-One App will be utilized to oversee the challan procedure on routes.
Punjab will serve as a transportation conduit to other provinces, while transporters have advocated for the statewide implementation of traffic regulations and sector-specific reforms akin to those in Punjab. Maryam Aurangzeb was tasked with presenting recommendations regarding transporters’ difficulties to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the federal level.
Transporters requested that the federal government and other provinces confer industrial status upon the transport sector and implement facilities and reforms akin to those in Punjab.
The discussion concluded that rigorous enforcement of traffic regulations would enhance the system, with both parties pledging to collaborate mutually.
The Punjab government committed to elevating the transport sector to international standards, advancing related industries, and implementing contemporary technology and methods. Legal and administrative reforms, together with infrastructure enhancements, will be implemented.
Permanent committees on commodities, public transportation, and administrative affairs will convene quarterly. Reforms will be implemented in the challan and fine system, including the eradication of duplicate challans via new software.
Concerns of overloading, axle weight, vehicle dimensions, and suitability will be addressed in collaboration with transporters.
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb stated that the government’s objective is to foster business development, guarantee public safety, and deliver optimal services to inhabitants. She underscored that safeguarding lives, enhancing systems, enforcing international standards, and fostering sectoral development are fundamental objectives.
She stated that enhancing the quality of life in Punjab necessitates a collaborative effort and expressed gratitude to transporters for their assistance, emphasizing that discussion is the best approach for addressing concerns.