Govt opts for high-level talks as strike strains ports

• Federal minister Aleem Khan, Sindh governor to meet goods transporters in Karachi• Security authorities join efforts to help break deadlock ISLAMABAD: With congestion beginning to build at the ports due to a pile-up of containers, the eight-day strike by truckers and edible oil tankers could end on Sunday (today) following a crucial round of talks at Governor House in Karachi between senior federal and provincial government officials and representatives of the transporters. Sources in the federal government told Dawn that the prolonged disruption and its impact on trade had prompted official efforts to resolve the dispute, with security authorities also becoming involved in attempts to break the deadlock. “The concerns of the striking truckers and edible oil tankers are genuine, but the government too has its procedural limitations,” a senior official said, adding that the transporters were seeking a strong guarantor regarding implementation of any agreement. Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, who was appointed by the prime minister as the focal person for negotiations with the transporters, and Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar are scheduled to travel to Karachi to participate in the talks. The Sindh governor, the provincial transport minister and other officials, including representatives of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority, are also expected to attend. A senior KPT official said the situation at the port was not yet critical, but congestion had become visible because of containers piling up amid the strike. The goods transporters have been protesting for more than eight days under the banner of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad. Officials said several categories of transporters had joined the strike and their demands involved different government departments, complicating negotiations. One of the major sticking points is the seven per cent withholding tax on goods transport, which stood at 6pc in the previous fiscal year compared to 2pc for fuel tankers. Striking truckers, container trailer operators and edible oil tanker operators are demanding that their withholding tax also be reduced to 2pc. However, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) sources said such a reduction could only be made through the Fin­­­ance Bill and could therefore be considered as part of the 2027-28 budget. Another contentious issue is the Customs department’s practice of impounding vehicles found carrying smuggled or illicit goods. “Regarding impounding of vehicles carrying smuggled or illicit goods, the point is why carriers book such items if they are not part of the smuggling network,” an official said. Meanwhile, the government has decided to offer relief on some other demands, including establishment of a dedicated parking facility for trailers and trucks handling cargo at Karachi port. The communications ministry has also agreed to provide temporary relief to 10-wheeler trucks regarding the upper axle-load limit on highways and motorways. All Pakistan Goods Transport Itt­e­­had spokesman Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said the nationwide protest was continuing and thousands of vehicles remained off the roads. “There was a brief round of talks with several authorities in Karachi today. We made it clear that our first priority is to find a sustainable solution to the issue through negotiations,” he said, accusing the bureaucracy of trying to create divisions among transporters. “The main problem is that they have made mere verbal assurances, but that is not sufficient. How can we end the strike without practical progress on our demands?” he said. He appealed to transporters to remain united and peaceful and avoid relying on rumours. Asked about Sunday’s meeting, Mr Chaudhry said some guarantors were now becoming involved in efforts to resolve the dispute. Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2026