ISLAMABAD: Transporters across Pakistan have announced an increase in freight charges following the recent rise in petrol and diesel prices, warning that higher fuel costs have significantly raised operational expenses.
President of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, Malik Shahzad Awan, announced a 20 per cent increase in goods transport fares nationwide, saying the fuel price hike has had a direct impact on the transport sector.
Awan said that over the past two months, diesel prices have increased by Rs78 per litre, while petrol prices have risen by Rs68 per litre, leading to an extraordinary surge in operational costs for transporters.
He added that if the increase in fuel prices was unavoidable, the federal government should reduce toll taxes and other levies to provide relief to transporters.
The transport alliance also warned the governments of Punjab and Sindh, along with the federal authorities, to immediately implement agreements made with transporters.
Otherwise, the group may decide to suspend transport operations nationwide, placing responsibility for the consequences on the federal government.
Awan further said that higher fuel prices would not only affect transporters but also impact ordinary citizens, farmers and businesses, as the increased cost of transportation would likely drive up prices of goods and services, contributing to further inflation.
The announcement comes at a time when the transport sector is already grappling with rising inflation and escalating fuel costs, with transporters warning that without immediate government intervention, freight transport operations across the country could face serious disruptions.
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