RAWALPINDI - The office-bearers of Muttahida Transport Union urged the government to withdraw the recent surge in petroleum products within seven days, otherwise transporters will observe strike from September 10.
Addressing a press conference at Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club (RIPC) on Tuesday, MTU President Haji Akhter Awan along with other transporters said that they did not want to transfer the burden of recent hike in fuel prices to the already poverty-stricken common people. They said that they would go on strike and transport from Rawalpindi to AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and other cities would remain suspended until the federal government does not reduce the petroleum prices.“It is  better to close our transport than to ask for increase in fares,” they said in addition with the government seemed ignorant of what consequences were faced by the common man in the wake of increase in petroleum prices.
 They also demanded of the government to issue separate transport fares for the vehicles plying on CNG and petrol and diesel. They said that a total of nine buses run by Punjab government from Raja Bazaar to Gujjar Khan have been off the road by the transporters. 
Replying a query, MTU President said that it was wrong impression that the public transport depended on CNG. The prices of CNG have also been increased many times making it difficult for transporters to meet their daily expenditures.