Goods Transporters Raise Concerns Over Truck Seizures and Road Conditions

by EditorSeptember 21, 2026012

Goods Transporters Raise Concerns Over Truck Seizures and Road Conditions

Goods transporters in Pakistan have raised concerns over the seizure of trucks and containers, road conditions, licensing issues and other challenges affecting the transport sector.

Representatives of transport associations said the goods transportation industry plays an important role in keeping the country’s supply chains and major industries running. They estimated that around 400,000 goods vehicles, excluding oil tankers and mini trucks, are involved in transporting goods across the country and provide direct and indirect employment to millions of people.

Transporters said they face several difficulties, including taxes and fines, truck seizures, poor road infrastructure, interactions with traffic authorities and delays in obtaining route permits.

They also expressed concern over the use of their vehicles and containers to restrict the movement of protesters ahead of the planned September 27 long march to Islamabad.

All Pakistan Good Transport Owners Association President Imdad Hussain Naqvi said transporters had been facing these problems for years. He claimed that trucks and containers were taken into government custody more than two weeks before the planned protest.

Naqvi argued that the transportation sector should receive greater attention from the government and suggested establishing a separate ministry for transportation. He also called for the sector to be formally recognised as a full-fledged industry.

Transporters Highlight Licensing and Road Issues

Transport representatives also raised concerns about Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV) licences.

Naqvi claimed that many truck drivers currently hold Light Transport Vehicle (LTV) licences because of difficulties in upgrading to HTV licences. However, traffic police officials rejected the claim and said a proper licensing system is already in place.

Transporters also complained about the condition of roads, taxes, fines, route permits and alleged irregularities involving regional transport authorities.

Muhammad Rafiq Khan, president of the All Pakistan Friends Traders and Trucks/Dumpers Owners Association, raised concerns about weighing stations and alleged that some operators were being asked for unofficial payments.

Transport Alliance Chairman Malik Shafaullah Awan said toll charges were also a major expense for transporters. He claimed that a truck travelling from Karachi to Lahore on the N-5, also known as the GT Road, could pay around Rs35,000 in toll charges, in addition to the petroleum levy on diesel.

Motorway Police Reject Most Allegations

The National Highways and Motorway Police rejected most of the complaints and said enforcement against goods vehicles was being carried out according to traffic laws and road-safety requirements.

According to a motorway police spokesperson, more than 7 million traffic violations involving goods vehicles have been identified and dealt with since January 2026.

The spokesperson said approximately 692,225 violations related to axle-load limits had also been identified and addressed under the law.

Officials further stated that HTV licensing is governed by the NHMP Drivers Licensing Authority Rules 2014, which specify eligibility requirements and the licensing procedure.

NHA Acknowledges Road Maintenance Challenges

The National Highways Authority acknowledged that limited funding has affected road maintenance across the country.

NHA General Manager Aftab Badar said the authority manages around 14,480 kilometres of roads. He said the NHA collected approximately Rs128 billion in toll revenue during the previous year, while receiving around Rs9 billion from the government for road maintenance.

He explained that the NHA also has to spend money on roads that generate little or no toll revenue. According to the official, around 42 per cent of the authority’s funds are utilised in Balochistan, where toll collections remain relatively low.

NHA General Manager (Revenue) Ahmed Hassan also rejected claims that NHA toll plazas were operating on an interim basis. He said the country has 183 toll plazas, with 63 operated by the Frontier Works Organisation and 120 supervised by the NHA.

The transport sector remains an important part of Pakistan’s supply chain, while transporters and government authorities continue to differ over licensing, enforcement, road conditions, toll charges and other regulatory matters.

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Goods Transporters Raise Concerns Over Truck Seizures and Road Conditions

Transporters Highlight Licensing and Road Issues

Motorway Police Reject Most Allegations

NHA Acknowledges Road Maintenance Challenges

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