Axle load policy to be strictly enforced: Aleem Khan

ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Thursday directed the authorities to ensure strict and non-discriminatory implementation of the axle load policy, saying no relaxation would be allowed in prescribed weight limits.

The minister issued the directives during a meeting with a delegation of the All-Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, led by its Central President Malik Shehzad Awan, which discussed issues faced by goods transporters, implementation of the axle load policy, improvements in the conduct of the Motorway Police and other matters related to the transport sector.

The representatives of the goods transporters offered thanks to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan for the improvements and cooperation of the Motorway Police and expressed their satisfaction and confidence in the measures being taken by the Ministry of Communications to address the problems faced by the transport community.

Talking in the meeting, the Minister said that compliance with the law and prescribed weight limits was essential for protecting roads and the national highway infrastructure. The meeting also considered a proposal to authorize the Motorway Police to register FIRs in cases of violations.

 Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan further directed that industries, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant departments be brought into the consultation process for the formulation of a comprehensive and coordinated policy on axle load and other transport-related matters.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that Goods Transporters should have no complaints regarding the Ministry of Communications or its relevant departments. He directed the officials to resolve the issues faced by transporters on a priority basis and maintain effective coordination with the provincial Governments concerned.

Abdul Aleem Khan directed the Secretary Communications to convene the next consultative meeting with the goods transporters on September 30 to review progress on the issues under consideration and decide on further measures.

During the meeting, representatives of the All-Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance also apprised the Federal Minister of the issues being faced by transporters in connection with cement factories.

The minister directed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures and hold consultations on these matters. At the conclusion of the meeting, the All-Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance announced its continued full cooperation with the Government and expressed satisfaction and confidence in the measures being taken by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan.

The meeting was attended by Malik Shehzad Awan, President, All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance; Chaudhry Qamar Zaman Gul, Chairman, All Pakistan Goods Owners Association; Nisar Hussain Jafri, Chairman, Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance; Owais Chaudhry, Advocate, President, All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association; Bakhtawar Khan Wazir, Chairman, All Pakistan Edible Oil Association; and Haji Azhar Siraj, Senior Vice President, All Pakistan Goods Transport Association. The Secretary Communications, Inspector General Motorways, and Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) also participated in the meeting via video link and briefed the participants on the relevant matters.

President of the All-Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance Malik Shehzad Awan said that his meeting with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan included detailed discussions on vehicles and containers stopped due to protests, the axle load policy, and other issues faced by transporters.

He said the Federal Minister assured the delegation that the detained vehicles would be released and their owners would be compensated, while the agreements reached with the government during the nationwide strike in August would also be implemented.

Malik Shehzad Awan further said that it had been decided to strictly enforce axle load laws across the country and take legal action against overloading. He added that the Motorway Police had been directed to register FIRs in cases of overloading. He thanked Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan for listening to the concerns of transporters and assuring them of their resolution.