RAWALPINDI: Transporters across Punjab are observing a complete wheel-jam strike today in protest against heavy traffic fines and widespread vehicle seizures.
As per details, the Transport Action Committee declared a province-wide shutdown today, with its Rawalpindi chapter confirming full participation.
The committee warned that a second phase of the strike, with the complete suspension of both public and goods transport, will take place on December 10 if demands are not met.
The Islamabad Transport Federation announced full support for the action as the vice president called the fines “unacceptable” and confirmed a complete strike in the federal capital.
In Faisalabad, major transport terminals, including general bus stands, wagon stands, and truck terminals, came to a complete standstill, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Rawalpindi is witnessing a similar shutdown, with local and inter-city public transport operators suspending all services. School, college, and university van services were also halted, disrupting daily routines and causing widespread inconvenience to commuters.
In Okara and several other cities, transporters parked vehicles at stands and decided to continue the protest until the fine structure is revised.
Speaking on behalf of the transporters, representatives of the Transporters Grand Alliance demanded immediate relief from heavy penalties, warning that goods and passenger vehicles would remain off the roads indefinitely unless the government addresses their grievances.
Punjab Heavy New Fines on Traffic Violations
The Punjab government earlier dramatically tightened traffic laws, with fines for common violations such as signal jumping and wrong-way driving increased by up to 900% and new punishments, including possible jail time for one-way breaches.
According to the new 12th Schedule, almost every category of road user will pay more for breaking the traffic rules:
Big jumps in fines
- Over-speeding now costs:
- Motorcycle: Rs 2,000
- 3-wheeler: Rs 3,000
- Car/jeep: Rs 5,000
- Commercial vehicles: Rs 10,000
- Public service vehicles (buses, wagons etc.): Rs 15,000
- Fines up to Rs 5,000 for private vehicles and Rs 15,000–20,000 for commercial and public service vehicles for these violations:
- Wrong-way / one-way driving
- Signal violation
- Using a mobile phone while driving
- Driving without a licence .
- Hit-and-run is among the harshest:
- Motorcycle: Rs 20,000
- Car/jeep: Rs 50,000
- Commercial: Rs 100,000
- Public service: Rs 150,000
- Driving an unregistered or unfit vehicle:
- These traffic violations can now cost up to Rs 50,000 for private users and Rs 100,000–150,000 for commercial and public transport.
