Transport associations launch nationwide strike over fuel prices and fines

The Pakistan Mini Mazda Association and the All Pakistan Goods Transporters have announced an indefinite nationwide strike, citing rising fuel prices and unjust fines.

A spokesperson for the Mini Mazda Association stated that the daily increases in petroleum prices are unacceptable and that the government has failed to fulfill previous promises. The association's representative, Muhammad Aslam, confirmed the strike is for an indefinite period and will continue until their "just demands" are met.

He recalled a previous strike on December 25, after which he said written assurances were given in meetings with senior ministers but were never implemented.

The All Pakistan Goods Transporters have also joined the call, with reports of trucks and containers parked in protest at locations such as Tarnol Phatak. The groups are demanding a stable fuel pricing policy and an end to what they describe as unfair challans.

Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.

The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance announced an indefinite nationwide strike starting Saturday, August 8, 2026, to protest against rising fuel prices, the daily pricing mechanism for petroleum products, and taxes imposed on the transport sector. Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan confirmed that transporters would remain off the roads until the government announces a clear course of action following negotiations with their representatives.

The federal government has invited representatives of the transport alliance to a meeting on Monday to discuss their concerns, and a committee has been formed to represent the transporters during these talks. The strike will continue until this meeting concludes and the alliance announces its next course of action. Transporters are specifically protesting against the increase in petrol and diesel prices, the government’s decision to determine petroleum product prices on a daily basis, and the imposition of a 7% withholding tax on the transport industry. They argue that rising operating costs and additional taxation are placing significant financial pressure on the sector, making it difficult for businesses to operate sustainably. The indefinite strike could affect the movement of goods across the country, potentially disrupting supply chains and deliveries if the dispute remains unresolved.

Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has assured action on the demands presented by goods transporters.

Goods transporters' associations have announced an indefinite nationwide strike after negotiations with government officials failed. The strike is set to halt the movement of goods-carrying vehicles across Pakistan.

Malik Shahzad Awan, President of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Ittehad, stated that the government does not appear serious about resolving the transporters' issues. He confirmed that a charter of demands had been presented to officials.

According to reports, a meeting was held in Karachi attended by the Commissioner of Karachi, Secretary of Transport, Secretary of Excise, and other senior officials. Separately, Muhammad Idrees Shaukat, President of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association, said their demands were clearly presented to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.

Both associations confirmed the strike will be for an indefinite period and will continue until their demands are met. Transporters have been instructed to park their vehicles and cease operations as part of the protest.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has intensified its criticism of the ruling PML-N, accusing it of not only rigging elections in Azad Kashmir but also driving Punjab deeper into debt. During a press conference, PPP Vice President Azain Gulzar urged party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to launch a public outreach campaign from Lahore. Mr. Gulzar also called on the Punjab government to address chronic urban issues such as flooding, sewerage, and clean water, stating that road projects alone do not signify effective governance. Furthermore, he criticized derogatory memes targeting Bilawal Bhutto Zardari circulating on PML-N’s social media, advocating for more respectful political discourse. Deputy Information Secretary Ahmed Rehman Ghuman alleged widespread coercion during the first two phases of elections in Kashmir and confirmed that the party has filed 35 complaints regarding irregularities. He also highlighted the rising per-capita debt in Punjab. Deputy Secretary Khurram Farooq Advocate accused police operating under Maryam Nawaz’s tenure of facilitating crime rather than curbing it.

Goods Transporters Announce Indefinite Strike

The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association has announced an indefinite strike starting from Saturday. The decision came after negotiations with the federal government, including Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, reportedly failed to yield a result.

In a statement, association representative Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said that transporters' fundamental demands were presented to government officials but were not accepted. He affirmed that the strike would continue until their demands are met.

Bilawal Bhutto Repeats AJK Election Rigging Claims

Separately, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reiterated his accusations against the PML-N, alleging widespread rigging in the Azad Kashmir elections.

He claimed that the election process was manipulated, stating that 10 seats were decided before the polls and that there was a "dacoity" in the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad elections. Mr. Bhutto Zardari repeated his demand for a commission to investigate the matter.

IPP Leader Sardar Tabarak Ali has claimed to possess evidence of election rigging in the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, stating that their mandate was stolen.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has rejected claims regarding the non-issuance of Form 24.

Bilawal Bhutto delivered his fiery speech regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections at a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) jalsa in Bagh.

Bilawal Bhutto, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, has warned of potential trouble in Islamabad, stating that the PML-N and the Islamabad government are under pressure following his recent speech regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.

Bilawal Bhutto, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has now joined the discourse surrounding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. He delivered an 'explosive speech' and broke his silence on Mohsin Naqvi's 'system' remark. Bhutto also challenged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with a bold election prediction and pledged to help the PPP 'win back stolen seats'.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has alleged widespread irregularities in the recently held Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, demanding an independent inquiry into the polling process. PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari, along with spokesman Nadeem Afzal Chan, PPP’s AJK president Chaudhry Yasin, and acting AJK PPP President Chaudhry Latif Akbar, stated that administrative decisions before and during the elections created doubts about transparency. Bukhari criticized the Election Commission’s decision to hold polling in three phases, calling phased polling in Poonch Division a “new method of rigging” that created opportunities for interference. He also questioned voter turnout figures, citing reports of 90 to 94 percent in LA-9 Kotli (Fatehpur) and 84 to 99 percent in LA-12, alleging the PPP was deprived of seats. Chan rejected allegations by Rana Sanaullah linking the PPP with banned organizations, describing them as “false and politically motivated.”

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has formally demanded fresh elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).