Revising POL, CNG prices: Public transporters warn government of wheel-jam strike

All public transport operators and goods carriers have asked government to revise petroleum and CNG prices at January-2011 rates in a month otherwise they will start protest campaign and wheel-jam strike. Speaking at a news conference, at Peshawar Press Club on Monday, Central President All Pakistan Goods Transport Truck Owner Association, Khawaja Mohammad Mohmand said that the government did not accept their demands despite wheel-jam strike and protest demonstrations.
Flanked by local transporters and representatives of goods owner association, he viewed that the government was receiving millions in the head of different direct and indirect taxes from transporters, but no relief was provided to them. He said that transporters were facing enormous difficulties due to imposition of new taxes. He rejected the recent Rs 300 tax per vehicle in the head of loading and unloading by the town administration. He asked the transporters to avoid supplying goods to Nato forces.
He maintained that the gradual increase in petroleum and CNG prices had multiplied the miseries of poor people, saying that common man did not have purchasing power due to skyrocketing prices of essential commodities. He said that the government had completely failed to resolve problems of poverty-stricken masses, adding that it did not take any steps to address major issues confronting the country.
He demanded of the government to withdraw loading and unloading tax and revise prices of petroleum and CNG at January-2011 position. He warned that if the government failed to accept their demands till 15 May, they would again observe wheel-jam strike and start protest campaign in the province.