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KARACHI: All public transport operators and goods carriers were observing a one-day wheel-jam strike on Tuesday in protest against the recent increase in oil and compressed natural gas prices.
The strike crippled life in the provincial capital, making it difficult for citizens to make it to offices and schools. A large number of people, especially office-goers, factory workers and students, were seen waiting at bus stops in the metropolis for buses, mini-buses and coaches as the public transport vehicles went off the road.
Meanwhile, the Karachi Board of Secondary Education postponed Tuesday’s matriculation exams in the wake of transport problem.
The strike call was given last week by the Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI), a representative body of the city’s transporters.
While one group of transport operators said that they were observing a strike for reduction in fuel prices and did not want an increase in fares, another group said their priority was reduction in fuel prices, but a hike of around 20 per cent in fares could also be looked into.
Officials close to the Sindh transport minister said on Monday they were in contact with transporters and petroleum ministry officials and expressed the hope that the strike would be called off.
The transporters, however, maintained that they would not hold any meeting with the Sindh transport minister because he had no power to reduce fuel prices.
