Balochistan Traders’ Association Supports Transporters’ Strike, Warns of Food Shortages

Quetta (Qudrat Daily) — **Abdul Rahim Kakr**, President of the **Central Traders’ Association Balochistan**, has expressed full support for the ongoing **transporters’ strike**, urging the government to **withdraw the Traffic Ordinance 2025** immediately, warning that continued disruption could lead to **shortages of essential food items** across the country.

Speaking at the Central Secretariat of the Traders’ Association, Abdul Rahim Kakr met with a delegation from the **Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association**, including President **Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani**, Vice President **Haji Zahir Shah**, Additional General Secretary **Muhammad Gul Kakr**, Secretary Information **Rozi Khan Mandokhel**, and Executive Member **Haji Zakariya Khan**. Other leaders present included **Mir Yasin Mengal** and **Zeeshan Danish**.

The delegation highlighted the **harassment and heavy fines** faced by transporters in Punjab, while Abdul Rahim Kakr emphasized that **traders and goods transporters are the backbone of the national economy**. He noted that the strike, which began on **December 8**, has halted the delivery of essential food and other goods nationwide, particularly affecting Balochistan, where most supplies come via trucks from other provinces. The strike is causing **losses worth millions of rupees** for traders.

The Central Traders’ Association Balochistan called on **Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and other officials** to liaise with the Punjab government to **withdraw the ordinance and address the transporters’ legitimate demands**. The association warned that if the government fails to act promptly, both the **Traders’ Association and the Goods Truck Owners Association** may be forced to escalate their protests.