Goods association urges PM to stop cargo vehicle detentions

ISLAMABAD: The Goods Forwarding Association Rawalpindi has approached Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, seeking his intervention over what it described as the repeated detention of goods vehicles by police in Punjab and Islamabad.

In a letter addressed to the prime minister, the association alleged that vehicles arriving from other cities were being stopped and detained by the Punjab and Islamabad police. It said the situation had created serious difficulties for traders, transporters and businesses involved in the movement of goods across the country.

The association pointed out that the detained vehicles were carrying thousands of tonnes of essential commodities, industrial materials and medicines. It warned that prolonged stoppage of such vehicles could disrupt the supply chain and create difficulties for businesses dependent on the timely delivery of goods.

According to the association, transporters and traders were already suffering financial losses running into millions of rupees because of the alleged restrictions. It said delays in the movement of containers were increasing transportation costs and causing losses to both vehicle owners and businesses.

The association urged the prime minister to take immediate notice of the matter and issue appropriate directions to the concerned authorities. It requested that goods vehicles be allowed to move freely after completion of the required legal and security checks.

It also stressed the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted transportation of medicines and other essential commodities. Any unnecessary delay, it said, could affect both businesses and the general public.

The association called for coordination between the federal, Punjab and Islamabad authorities to resolve the issue and prevent further disruption to the country’s goods transportation network.

Copies of the letter were also sent to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Inspector General of Islamabad Police for their attention and necessary action.

The association expressed hope that the government would intervene promptly and address the concerns of traders and transporters while ensuring that the movement of essential and industrial goods remains uninterrupted.