Islamabad/Rawalpindi, December 8, 2025 – Roads in the twin cities wore a quieter look Monday morning as transporters observed a partial wheel-jam strike against the Punjab Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 that has sharply increased traffic fines.
Thousands of commuters, students, and office-goers faced hardship with most inter-city wagons, coaches, and Hiace vans staying off the roads. Many school vans also joined the protest, forcing parents to make last-minute arrangements.
Rawalpindi, Islamabad transporters set for wheel-jam strike over soaring traffic fines
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Key Highlights
- Public transport largely suspended on major routes including Islamabad Expressway, Murree Road and I.J.P. Road
- Pirwadhai General Bus Stand almost empty; long-distance buses to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan remained parked
- Qingqi rickshaws and small Suzuki pickups kept inner-city areas moving
- Goods Transport Association joined the strike, affecting supply of vegetables and perishable items on GT Road
- Schools reported lower attendance; several private schools announced half-day
Transporters Demand Rollback of New Fines
The Punjab Public Transport Association and Muttahida Transport Federation of Twin Cities called the strike after the provincial government refused to withdraw the new ordinance. Penalties for common violations such as overloading, over-speeding, and route deviation have jumped from a few thousand rupees to tens of thousands under the amended law.
Raja Muhammad Riaz, chairperson of the twin-cities transporters’ body, told reporters that talks held in Lahore failed because “the government tried to break our unity instead of addressing genuine concerns.”Regional Transport Authority officials insisted that goods vehicles continued to ply despite pressure from the associations, and promised full support to drivers who kept working.
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By afternoon, traffic began returning to normal on some routes as a section of transporters resumed limited operations. However, evening peak hours are expected to remain challenging.
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Commuters expressed frustration, but many also sympathised with drivers burdened by the sudden hike in fines. The standoff continues, with transporters warning of a complete shutdown if their demand for withdrawal of the ordinance is not met soon.
