The transporters, in a joint meeting with the Deputy Convenor of Muttehida Qaumi Movement (MQM), MNA Dr Farooq Sattar and Sindh Minister for Transport, Adil Siddiqui here on Tuesday, decided to defer the two-day strike scheduled on February 24-25 for ten days. In case there seems any headway in resolving the issues pertaining to petroleum price, the strike could further be postponed, the transporters stated at the meeting held at a local hotel.

The delegation of 17 representatives of Karachi Transport Ittehad, an alliance of 15 transport bodies, Supreme Council of Pakistan Transporters and Oil Tankers' Association led by Syed Irshad Hussain Bukhari, besides IG Sindh Police, CCPO, secretary transport, secretary PTA, secretary RTA, DIG operation, DIG traffic and other officials attended the meeting, a TI release said.

The transporters demanded reduction in oil price, bringing it down to November 30, 2004 level, payment of Rs 3.5 million for the vehicles used by the police and other agencies, payment of compensation for the vehicles burnt during the riots etc.

According to press release Dr Farooq Sattar said the transporters` demand for reducing oil price was just and assured that he would take up the issue with the President and the Prime Minister.

Dr Farooq Sattar asked for withdrawing the strike call, however, Syed Irshad Bukhari announced for deferring the call for ten days.

He made it clear that the transporters would opt for strike if the demands were not seriously considered.

Copyright Pakistan Press International, 2005