Goods transporters have called on the Pakistan Army to provide protection after 11 truck drivers were abducted by bandits in the Katcha area near Kashmore earlier this month.
Karachi Goods Carriers Association Acting President Safeer Shaheen and General Secretary Nadeem Akhtar Arain said the transporters across the country are deeply concerned over the incident.
“We do not want to harm the country’s economy, but if security is not provided to goods transporters, we will be forced to take extreme measures,” the office-bearers of the association said.
According to the association, armed bandits opened indiscriminate fire near the motorway, damaging multiple vehicles before abducting 11 drivers. “Drivers and their staff have been left at the mercy of dacoits,” they added.
Shaheen said the attackers also deflated and damaged tyres of several trucks during the assault. “One pair of truck tyres costs around Rs180,000, and each truck carries 11 pairs. Several vehicles suffered complete tyre damage,” he noted.
The association revealed that the abductors have released a video threatening to kill the drivers if their demand for the release of detained accomplices is not met. “If the government fails to secure their recovery, we will reconsider our role in keeping the economy running,” the statement warned.
Shaheen added that associations from Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Muzaffargarh, Multan, and Sahiwal have unanimously agreed to consider halting transport operations if the drivers are not recovered and security measures are not enforced.
Calling on the Pakistan Army to take strict action against Katcha area bandits and restore safety on highways, the association said: “The law and order situation has deteriorated to the point where anyone can disrupt transport operations with impunity.”
