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Punjab Transport Strike Halts Services Over New Traffic Law

A second round of talks at 2 pm will try to defuse unions’ protest over steep fines and penalties under the Traffic Ordinance 2025.

Overview

  • Public and goods transport was largely suspended across Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Okara and other cities, leaving passengers stranded and disrupting supplies.
  • Initial negotiations between transport representatives and the Punjab government ended without progress, with union leaders vowing to continue the stoppage until demands are met.
  • Police leadership rejected pressure to ease enforcement, defending tougher rules as road‑safety measures and citing 63,970 challans worth over Rs80 million in 24 hours and 23,904 vehicles confiscated.
  • Transport groups submitted a 25‑point charter seeking rollback or revision of fines, permit and certification changes, and relief for low‑income operators, while highlighting a disputed licence fee gap in Punjab.
  • Union leaders warned the action could become indefinite and said a nationwide wheel‑jam from Khyber to Karachi could follow from December 10 if no agreement is reached.