Punjab Transporters mobilized a sweeping wheel-jam to protest against Traffic Ordinance 2025
Punjab stands on a knife’s edge, poised for what could be one of the year’s most disruptive actions. In response to the recently unveiled Traffic Ordinance 2025, which hikes penalties for transport operators, transporters across the province have announced a complete wheel-jam starting Monday. The move directly targets operations.
The call came in a charged Lahore press conference led by the Pakistan Transport United Action Committee, an umbrella group bringing together bus, truck, and commercial vehicle operators. The message was clear and unequivocal: this ordinance must go, and now.
Transporters Push Back: “The Fines Are Severe, Unjust, and Unsustainable”
At the center of the protest is what drivers and operators describe as punishing, unreasonable fines under the new rules. Rather than fostering road discipline, they argue, the steep penalties threaten to push an already fragile transport sector over the edge into financial distress.
Leaders of the committee said they were neither consulted nor given any transition period before enforcement. They claim the ordinance prioritizes revenue extraction over the safety on the roads.
“We’re not against order,” they asserted. “But these excessive fines are unfair. They’re designed so that a single violation could wipe out a driver’s day’s earnings.”
What the Wheel-Jam Means for Everyday Life in Punjab
Millions of people in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, and other major towns could face real disruption in case the strike proceeds. Intercity buses, local shuttles, freight trucks, delivery vans, and even school transport may pull off the roads.
Possible impacts include:
- Major urban traffic gaps and jams
- Delays to the delivery of goods will have knock-on consequences for businesses and supply chains.
- Fares risen from the limited number of services operating
- Hardships for workers and students who rely daily on public transport
Economists have warned that even one day without movement could dent the province’s economy.
Transporters Seek Dialogue, but Will the Government Answer?
Even while being tough, the unions leave room for negotiations. Their priorities include:
- Immediate withdrawal or revision of the Traffic Ordinance 2025
- Reduction or recalibration of the fines
- A policy framework that blends safety along with economic practicality
The Punjab government has so far withheld a firm public stance, administrative sources hint at potential talks to avert a sweeping shutdown.
A Growing Rift or a Window for Reform?
The standoff brings into sharp view a question that is broader: how to modernize traffic laws without crushing finances in the transport sector? Come Monday, residents will be bracing for uncertainty, not sure how deeply the wheel jam may disrupt daily life. One thing is certain: without a breakthrough, Punjab is preparing itself for a day when its roads could fall silent.
Keep updated with more news and emerging stories with Pakistan Updates.
