Karachi: Goods transporters to stage protest outside Sindh CM, Governor's House

The goods transporters have announced a rally and protests at the Chief Minister House and the Governor House against the closure of highways due to protests over the canals project, which has paralysed the transportation of goods across the country. 

Malik Shehzad Awan, a representative of the goods transporters' association, stated that more than 40 loaded trucks have been stuck in Sukkur for ten days, and goods worth millions and billions are deteriorating in the trucks.

In this regard, "the transport associations will stage a rally from the Truck Stand to the Chief Minister's House at 3 pm, and then to the Governor's House," Awan said. 

Read: Govt pauses canals project after intense opposition and suspension of IWT

The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced plans to hold demonstrations outside the Sindh CM's and Sindh Governor's Houses.

A Karachi Port Trust (KPT) official stated that the closure of highways has created an intense disturbance in the transportation of goods, as export cargoes cannot arrive at the port. 

"We are managing this situation to avoid congestion at the port, especially with the continuous arrival of imported goods. But if goods movement remains held up, the port will face severe congestion," the official said.

As per reports, thousands of heavy vehicles have been stuck in long queues on different roads in Sindh, including Kandhkot, Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur, and Khairpur areas. 

Read: PPP warns of dismantling federal govt over canals issue

Although the federal government and its ally, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had decided to postpone the project; the announcement did not convince the protesters, and they decided to continue the protest until the government issues an official postponement.

Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari met Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on the issue of the controversial project, where CM Shah expressed concern that some political parties are exploiting the issue for their vested interests. 

The CM briefed the measures that have been taken by the Sindh Government to address public concerns and restore traffic in affected areas, but the protest has not ended so far.