Punjab grants industry status to transport sector after talks

LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Punjab government and transporters have reached an agreement, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif deciding to grant industry status to the transport sector.

Transporters welcomed the chief minister’s decision and expressed full support for the Punjab government’s initiatives aimed at developing the transport sector.

According to a joint declaration issued by the Punjab government and transporters, four committees have been formed to improve, develop, and resolve issues related to the transport industry. Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar has been appointed as the central coordinator.

A meeting chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb was attended by representatives of goods and public transporters, during which the formal announcement to end the strike was also made.

The committees include the Goods Transport Committee, Mini Mazda Transport Committee, Public Transport Committee, and Staff Duty Vehicle Committee. These committees will compile recommendations and submit them to Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb.

Under the joint declaration, transporters and government representatives will present final proposals at a joint press conference next Wednesday. The committees will operate on a permanent basis to monitor transport-related issues and implementation of recommendations. Proposals will be finalized within three days, while administrative measures will be implemented within one month.

Both sides agreed to jointly review, improve, and implement the Traffic Ordinance 2025. It was clarified that the ordinance does not include any clause related to “diyat” (blood money).

The declaration stated that challans will be issued on the basis of evidence, and once a challan is issued for a violation, it will not be repeated for the same offense during the same trip. The e-One App will be used to regulate the challan process on routes.

Punjab will act as a transport bridge with other provinces, while transporters urged that traffic laws and sectoral reforms similar to Punjab be introduced nationwide. It was agreed that Maryam Aurangzeb would present recommendations on transporters’ issues to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the federal level.

Transporters demanded that the federal government and other provinces also grant industry status to the transport sector and introduce facilities and reforms similar to Punjab.

The meeting agreed that strict implementation of traffic laws would improve the system, with both sides committing to mutual cooperation.

The Punjab government pledged to bring the transport industry up to international standards, promote allied sectors, and ensure the use of modern technology and practices. Legal, administrative reforms and infrastructure improvements will also be undertaken.

Permanent committees on goods, public transport, and administrative matters will meet every three months. Reforms will be introduced in the challan and fine system, including eliminating duplicate challans through modern applications.

Issues related to overloading, axle weight, vehicle size, and fitness will be resolved in consultation with transporters.

Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said the government’s goal is to promote business growth, ensure public safety, and provide the best services to citizens. She emphasized that protecting lives, improving systems, enforcing global standards, and sectoral development are core objectives.

She added that improving the quality of life in Punjab requires collective effort and thanked transporters for their cooperation, stressing that dialogue is the preferred method for resolving issues.