KARACHI: Goods transporters have demanded the immediate release of containers and other vehicles held by police in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
President Goods Transport Ittehad Malik Shahzad Awan warned that medicines and food items inside the containers could expire or deteriorate if authorities delay their release.
He urged the federal and Punjab governments to release all detained containers and vehicles without further delay.
Awan said police had not released the vehicles despite orders from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
He also warned that the federal and Punjab governments would have to bear responsibility for any losses suffered by transporters or damage to the goods.
“The federal government should look for alternative arrangements to stop the protest instead of holding the economy hostage,” Awan said.
Transporters Oppose Use of Vehicles in Political Disputes
Awan said the transport sector plays a vital role in keeping the national economy moving. Therefore, he urged authorities not to involve goods transporters in political matters.
“Our vehicles are not meant to block roads but to run the national economy,” he added.
Meanwhile, the transporters’ leadership had earlier claimed that Islamabad and Punjab police detained around 700 containers.
“There are crores of rupees worth of goods in 700 containers,” Awan said.
He added that the detained cargo included food items and materials required by key industries.
The transporters warned that prolonged detention could damage perishable goods and cause financial losses to businesses and transport companies. They therefore called for the immediate release of the vehicles and cargo.
