The government’s crackdown on goods transport vehicles has caused an estimated Rs. 800 million transporters Islamabad blockade loss. This figure comes from the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association. Authorities have seized more than 1,000 trucks and commercial vehicles in Islamabad alone.

President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said officials seized over 1,000 vehicles in Islamabad. These included containerized cargo vehicles, flatbed trailers, Mazda trucks and 10-wheelers. Additionally, authorities continue seizing vehicles in Rawalpindi, Jatli, Tarnol and Mandi Bahauddin. The goal is preventing protests and sit-ins from blocking roads.

Most seized vehicles carried cargo at the time. Therefore, goods could suffer damage or fail to reach their destinations. Chaudhry called for authorities to release loaded vehicles immediately. He wants to prevent further financial losses for transporters.

He said reports suggest the government is hiring vehicles. It reportedly pays Rs. 20,000 per day for this. However, he claimed the government hasn’t contacted any transporters directly. Nor has it paid compensation for seized vehicles. Furthermore, Chaudhry worried that government institutions might collect these funds without passing them to actual vehicle owners.

He called for the government to compile complete seizure data. He also wants compensation issued through a transparent process. For empty vehicles, he demanded minimum compensation of Rs. 20,000 per day. Additionally, he called for an end to using private vehicles this way.

Chaudhry also called for protection, food and basic facilities for detained vehicles and drivers. He noted that drivers have stayed at various locations for extended periods. Their goal remains simply protecting their vehicles.

Finally, he demanded that the government pull complete records from police stations. He also urged calculating compensation based on how long each vehicle sat idle. Meanwhile, he reiterated his call for immediate release of all seized vehicles. This crisis, he stressed, cannot continue without a clear resolution. Transporters need answers soon, and the ongoing losses cannot go unaddressed.