Transporters in Punjab and Rawalpindi announced a wheel-jam strike for Monday to protest heavy fines and demanded that the provincial government immediately withdraw the Traffic Ordinance 2025.
At a joint press conference in Lahore, leaders of the Pakistan Transport United Action Committee rejected the ordinance, saying the government was imposing unfair heavy fines through it.
They warned, “Public transport will stay shut until the ordinance is withdrawn.”
They added that goods transport, minibuses, loaders, and rickshaws would also join the strike, while intra-city, inter-district, and inter-provincial services would remain suspended.
The first round of talks between transporters and the Punjab government failed, and the next meeting is scheduled for 2 pm today, according to the transport association.
Responding to the strike, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar said the police would not bow to any pressure or “blackmailing.”
He stressed that driving without a licence leads to fatal accidents and added that in civilised countries, people follow the law instead of challenging it through strikes.
He said driving without a licence was like having a “licence to kill.”
Last week, Punjab police issued 63,970 challans worth over Rs80 million in 24 hours as part of their crackdown on traffic violations.
A police spokesperson said the challans were issued to vehicles and motorcycles across the province.
At least 28,000 challans were issued for helmet violations and 4,312 for other traffic breaches, he added.
Police also confiscated 23,904 vehicles during the crackdown.
