A large number of oil tankers in Karachi staged a protest by blocking the M-9’s Steel Town Link Road. They were protesting against the increase in toll tax imposed by the local administration, as well as alleged police extortion.
The protest resulted in a significant traffic jam on the Link Road, suspending the traffic from National Highway to Kathore.
The oil tanker owners expressed their dissatisfaction by handing over their vehicle keys to the administration. Mir Shams Shahwani, Chairman of the Oil Tankers Association, stated that the drivers were facing heavy extortion from the police and weighing machine officials.
Shahwani further explained that the net weight standards of the oil tankers had been registered with the oil marketing companies of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). He criticized the local authorities for suddenly increasing the toll tax and demanded them to withdraw the decision.
This protest by the oil tanker owners highlights their concerns regarding the additional financial burden imposed on them and calls for immediate action from the relevant authorities to address the issue.