ISLAMABAD: Goods transporters across Pakistan have announced a 5% increase in freight charges following the recent hike in petroleum product prices.
Addressing the media, President of Goods Transporters Association, Malik Shehzad Awan, strongly condemned the increase in fuel prices. He said the government’s decision to revise petroleum prices on a daily basis is “unacceptable” and demanded that it be withdrawn immediately.
Malik Shehzad Awan said transporters had postponed a nationwide strike for 40 days on the government’s assurance. However, he claimed that most of their demands are still pending. He warned that if there is no progress on their demands within the agreed timeframe, goods transporters will launch another countrywide strike.
Transporters say the increase in diesel and petrol rates has directly raised operational costs. As a result, freight charges for goods moving between cities are being raised by 5% with immediate effect. Industry experts warn that the hike in transportation costs will likely lead to an increase in prices of essential commodities, including food items, in the coming days. The government has not yet responded to the transporters’ latest warning.
Read also: Goods Transport Association rejected hike in Petrol prices
