No Overloaded Vehicle Allowed on Motorways, Says Minister Aleem Khan

ISLAMABAD: Abdul Aleem Khan, Federal Minister for Communications, pledged on Saturday to address the valid grievances of freight transportation operators on an urgent basis without compromising on the national axle load policy whereby vehicles carrying more weight than permitted will not be permitted to move on highways.

The statement comes in the backdrop of attempts to strike a balance between enforcing measures to protect the country’s highway network and meeting needs of the logistics industry.

The remarks came after Khan met the office-bearers of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance in a video conference call. In a press statement, it was highlighted that the discussion revolved around various topics related to axle loading, SROs, heavy-duty vehicles plying on the motorways, and several others pertinent to the goods transport industry. Khan stated that the transporters must assist in safeguarding the motorways and national highways and not exceed weight beyond what is allowed.

Transport of Goods: The minister made it clear to the delegates that all demands made by the goods transporters will be attended to on an urgent basis. Furthermore, he extended an invitation to the delegation representing the goods transporters to come to Islamabad next Monday for an in-person discussion.

No Overloaded Vehicle Allowed on Motorways: A Pledge to Clean Up Motorway Police

Apart from the introduction of the axle load policy, Abdul Aleem Khan said that the Motorway Police would be purged of all forms of corruption within a period of one month. Khan directed the Inspector General of Motorway Police to make sure that any officer associated with bribery and other corrupt practices leaves the organization in one month.

According to statements issued by the minister on Tuesday, motorways and National Highways fall under the category of national assets. He praised transport operators for their willingness to cooperate with the government regarding axle loading policies. "When we combine our efforts, we will be able to safeguard Pakistan’s road network," he stated.

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According to Khan, there would be no problem left unsolved if good intentions existed while solving them. In his statement, Khan mentioned: “How are we supposed to progress when we don’t sit down together and sort out our issues?” It is clear that the PTI Chairman placed significant importance on dialogue as a conflict resolution tool between both parties.

As part of its crackdown on road transportation sector, the transport ministry added that any official caught indulging in corrupt practices would be sacked and their cases registered, showing how seriously the government is treating this issue. Officials have now been told that No Overloaded Vehicle Allowed on Motorways.

Khan also promised the delegation that all genuine grievances related to Mazda operators and 10 Wheelers will be addressed urgently, with the government's commitment expanding beyond large logistics firms to cover small-scale operators who play an important role in freight transport in Pakistan.