Goods transporters called off their 10-day nationwide strike on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, after federal and provincial governments accepted key demands. The Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance announced the decision following successful negotiations in Karachi.
The agreement ends a disruption that halted raw material supplies, slowed industrial production, and threatened exports across Pakistan.
Pakistan Goods Transporters Strike Ends After Talks
Negotiations concluded at the Customs House in Karachi. Representatives from Punjab and Sindh governments, the Customs department, and the Ministry of Communications attended. Senior officials joined via video link, including Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan, and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani.
Malik Shehzad Awan, president of the Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, confirmed the resolution. “We have called off the strike after it continued for 10 days,” he said. “The decision was taken after the federal, Punjab and Sindh governments accepted our demands and signed the settlement document.” Nisar Hussain Jafri, chairman of the alliance, added that major demands had been met. Goods movement resumed immediately.
The transporters strike Pakistan called off brings relief to industries that faced severe shortages. Factories reduced output or halted operations due to lack of inputs from ports.
Key Concessions in Nationwide Goods Transporters Strike Ends
Authorities agreed to reduce fines substantially. They also committed to resolve disputes over axle-load limits, heavy transport driving licences, Customs issues, and motorway police interactions.
Controversial sections of the Punjab Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be addressed. The ordinance triggered the protest with higher penalties for overloading and older vehicles.
Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar outlined specific measures. Heavy fines and FIRs against transporters have been abolished. Fitness certificates issued in Karachi will now be valid in Punjab for six months. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed construction of truck stands in cities and rest areas for drivers.
Sindh representative Murtaza Wahab stated that his government consulted transporters before decisions affecting them.
Additional infrastructure commitments include temporary allocation of 50 acres for truck parking opposite the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road. Around 600 acres on the Northern Bypass will be earmarked for parking. A 6km stretch of the bypass will be built by April 2026, with route expansion to six lanes planned.
Action against container theft gangs was promised, with Sindh police tasked to investigate complaints. Lala Yasir Naseer, chairman of the All Pakistan Truck Trailer Owners Association, instructed members to resume activities.
Economic Toll During the Strike
The 10-day action paralysed logistics. Industrialists estimated losses of around $500 million in the textile sector alone.
Stranded consignments incurred demurrage and detention charges at ports. Production lines slowed or stopped. Missed vessel sailings raised risks of cancelled international orders. Development projects in Punjab halted due to material shortages. Ports in Karachi faced congestion as containers piled up.
The nationwide goods transporters strike ends at a critical time for Pakistan’s economy, which relies heavily on road transport for domestic and export goods.
Background to the Dispute
The strike began on December 8, 2025, in Punjab. Protests spread to other provinces against enforcement of the amended ordinance. Transporters argued that steep fines threatened their livelihoods.
Earlier talks on Tuesday remained inconclusive, leading to the decisive Wednesday meeting.
What’s Next After Goods Transporters Call Off Strike
Goods transporters have resumed operations across highways and ports. Authorities must now implement agreed measures, including fine reductions and infrastructure projects. Monitoring of axle-load enforcement and licence issuance will continue. Transporters expect quick notification of changes to avoid future disputes.
With the goods transporters call off strike, supply chains return to normal. This prevents further economic damage and supports recovery in manufacturing and exports.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 18th, 2025
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