The public transport strike in Karachi is set to continue on Friday after discussions between transport operators and the Sindh government ended without reaching an agreement on the issue of electronic traffic challans.
The Karachi Transport Alliance confirmed that transporters have decided to extend the strike after negotiations with provincial authorities failed to address their concerns. The ongoing dispute has resulted in a major disruption to public transportation services across the city, leaving thousands of commuters facing difficulties in reaching their destinations.
On Thursday, buses, minibuses, and coaches largely remained off the roads as transport operators observed a wheel-jam strike. The suspension of services affected residents who depend on public transport for daily travel to offices, workplaces, educational institutions, and industrial zones.
According to Karachi Transport Alliance President Haji Tawab Khan, the talks with government representatives did not yield any meaningful progress. He stated that transporters were left dissatisfied with the outcome of the discussions, leading them to continue the protest.
The primary issue behind the strike is the implementation of the electronic challan system. Transport operators argue that the fines issued through the mechanism are excessively high and place an unfair financial burden on drivers and vehicle owners. They claim that, in some cases, the penalties are greater than the daily income generated by public transport vehicles.
Transporters have repeatedly called for a review of the e-challan system and have urged authorities to reconsider the scale of the fines. They maintain that the current structure is not practical for the transport sector and has created significant difficulties for operators already dealing with rising operational costs.
The Karachi Transport Alliance has announced that public transport services will remain suspended until the government takes concrete steps to address their demands. As the strike continues, commuters across the city are expected to face ongoing travel challenges, with many forced to seek alternative and often more expensive means of transportation.
Also Read: Karachi Bus Strike Announced as Transporters Protest Fines
