Overview
- Transport groups announced a provincewide halt from December 8, saying public buses, goods carriers, minibuses, loaders and rickshaws will stay off the roads until the ordinance is scrapped.
- Rawalpindi unions enforced a complete shutdown, closing Pirwadhai and dozens of other terminals with no departures, and warned of a second, nationwide strike if demands are rejected.
- Leaders argue the ordinance imposes disproportionate fines and allows vehicle impoundment, saying drivers are treated like criminals and pointing to a licence fee gap of Rs1,200 nationally versus Rs12,000 in Punjab.
- The charter of demands seeks no luggage-overload fines on northern and Kashmir routes, one-window issuance of route and special permits, three-year permit validity, limits on motorway challans, removal of Challan Code 24, curbs on police action and relief from steep toll hikes.
- Geo News reports the first round of talks failed with another meeting set for 2 pm, as the Punjab IGP ruled out bowing to pressure and cited a crackdown that issued 63,970 challans in 24 hours and confiscated 23,904 vehicles.