LAHORE: Transporters across Punjab have announced a complete wheel-jam strike today, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Traffic Ordinance 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, leaders of the Pakistan Transport United Action Committee said they do not accept the new ordinance, alleging that it imposes heavy fines and is unfair to the transport community. They warned that public transport will remain suspended until the ordinance is revoked.
Transporters confirmed that goods transport, mini Mazda vehicles, loaders and rickshaws will also be part of the strike, while intra-city, inter-district and inter-provincial transport services will remain halted.
The first round of negotiations between the transporters and the Punjab government has failed, while the next round is scheduled for 2 pm today, according to the Transport Association.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar, reacting to transporters’ strike call, has declared driving without a licence as equivalent to inviting death and accidents.
He stated that in civilised societies, laws are respected and enforced rather than challenged through strikes, adding that “unlicensed driving is a license to kill, which is unacceptable anywhere in the world.”
The IG warned transporters that if they keep vehicles off the road, police will also ensure no vehicle comes onto the road without proper compliance and will seize those found violating the law.
He emphasised that strikes cannot be justified at the cost of children’s safety, saying “A strike means school vans keep overturning and children continue to die. We will not bow down to any pressure or blackmail where students’ lives are at stake.”
Dr Anwar reaffirmed that protecting public life and property is the police’s foremost duty, and this responsibility will continue without compromise. He made it clear that there will be zero tolerance for traffic law violations, and strict implementation will continue.
