Sindh Secretary Transport, Captain Nasar Hayat (Retd) has said that the government was in touch with the Unions of Goods Transporters and Public Transporters Association and would have a meeting shortly to discuss their problems. Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chairman Site Association of Industry (SAI), while discussing with the Secretary Transport the issue of strike on 24th and 25th February by the Transporters suggested him (secretary) to talk to the transporters and advise them to refrain from the strike, as it would not be in the interest of the industry.
Nasar Hayat told Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig that the goods and public transporters have not yet devised as to how much fare they want to increase instead they are asking the government to advise them on the matter.
Moreover, the transporters are also asking to reduce the diesel prices from Rs 27.17 to Rs 20.00 a litre, at the level of November 30, 2004.
According SAI press release, Dr Ikhtiar Baig said that in the month of January, we had four holidays on account of Eid-ul-Azha. During the current month, we have already had holidays on Kashmir Day and Aashura. If the strikes were to be held on 24th and 25th February, then how many days would be left for work in a 28-day month?
He said: "We will not be able to meet our export orders and also the operating cost."
However, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig suggested that an amicable solution should be found out as the industries can not afford such strikes which will result in a loss of about 2 billion rupees per day in the Site area only, what to say of the entire business of the city including other industrial areas.
He also asked the transporters that they were the other wheels of a vehicle for the economic growth of Pakistan and they should find out some solution in the larger national interest. Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig offered help of the SAI to resolve this issue.-PR