Goods Transporters’ Strike Enters Sixth Day as Prices of Vegetables, Flour and Pulses Rise

ISLAMABAD: The strike by goods transporters entered its sixth consecutive day after negotiations with the federal and provincial governments failed, with its impact becoming increasingly visible in markets across major cities.

Officials of the goods transporters’ associations have called a meeting today to decide the future course of action. Meanwhile, the Lahore Mini Mazda Association has announced that it is not participating in the strike.

The disruption has severely affected the supply of essential commodities. In Lahore, the arrival of freight vehicles at markets has fallen from around 100 to just 10, resulting in increases in the prices of vegetables, flour and pulses.

In Peshawar, the price of a 20-kilogram bag of flour increased by Rs150 to Rs3,150, while pulse prices rose by Rs15 to Rs20 per kilogram.

In Quetta, the price of onions increased from Rs100 to Rs180 per kilogram, while chicken prices rose by Rs50 to reach Rs550 per kilogram.

In Karachi, vegetables continue to be transported through smaller vehicles to maintain supplies.

The strike has also created difficulties for the country’s export sector, with exporters facing problems in transporting finished goods to ports.

Goods Transporters’ Association President Nabeel Mahmood Tariq said negotiations with the government remained deadlocked. He said the government was unwilling to end the daily changes in diesel prices, adding that the strike would continue indefinitely until their demands were addressed.