Karachi Transport Strike Persists After Failed Police Negotiations

A strike by Karachi’s public transport operators will continue after negotiations with police collapsed, the head of a transporters’ union said on Saturday.

The wheel‑jam strike, now in its third day, began on Thursday in protest of electronic traffic challans, which transporters describe as imposing heavy fines and other regulatory burdens.

Haji Tawab Khan, president of the Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI), told Dawn on Saturday that the strike would persist.

“We met with the DIG Traffic, who said reversing the e‑challans falls outside his authority,” he said.

“However, he assured us that he would review the challans, which transporters consider unjustified,” he added.

Tawab added that none of the transporters’ demands have been met, and despite repeated requests to government officials, no further meeting has been scheduled.

Earlier, Muhammad Ilyas, vice president of KTI, said that no breakthrough had been reached on the union’s four key demands.

“We object to the heavy fines imposed under the e‑challan system,” Ilyas said. “We believe penalties generated by high‑resolution cameras at traffic signals and body‑worn cameras used by traffic police have become increasingly burdensome for operators.”

Ilyas added that another concern is the biometric verification process required for vehicle ownership transfers, which transporters describe as cumbersome and time‑consuming.

“We have also called for a review of the mandatory third‑party insurance requirement, which currently costs vehicle owners around Rs 12,000,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Shah told the media a day earlier that Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon had taken note of the strike, saying the issue would be resolved soon.

The demonstration has disrupted commutes, as buses, minibuses and coaches have largely stayed off the roads, forcing thousands of commuters to seek alternative transport to reach workplaces, schools and commercial centres.

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