Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has said that overloaded vehicles will not be allowed on motorways as the government starts enforcing axle-load limits, according to reports today.
The minister said that the axle-load policy would be implemented immediately. He asked transporters to follow the set weight limits to help protect motorways and national highways.
He said that “not a single overloaded vehicle” would be allowed to enter the motorways. Aleem Khan made these remarks during a video-link meeting with representatives of the All-Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance.
During the meeting, Aleem Khan also stressed that transporters must help protect motorways and national highways. He asked them not to carry more weight than the allowed limit.
He said the concerns of Mazda operators and 10-wheelers would also be considered.
The federal minister assured the transporters that their genuine demands would be addressed on a priority basis.
He also invited a delegation of goods transporters to Islamabad on Monday. The delegation will discuss their concerns in detail with the government.
Aleem Khan also urged the transporters not to take “extreme measures”. He said their concerns should instead be resolved through talks.
The minister also said that the Motorway Police would be made free from corruption within one month.
He directed the Inspector General of Motorway Police to make sure that no official involved in taking bribes or other forms of corruption remains in the department.
He added that officials found involved in corruption would not only be dismissed but would also face criminal cases.
Aleem Khan said motorways and national highways are a national asset. He also welcomed the support shown by transport owners for the government’s axle-load policy.
The meeting was attended by the federal secretary for communications, the Inspector General of Motorway Police, transport secretaries from all four provinces and other officials.
Representatives of different goods transport organisations also attended the meeting. The meeting discussed axle-load limits, related SROs, heavy vehicles on motorways and other issues faced by the goods transport sector.