KARACHI: Goods transporters across Pakistan have announced another 5% increase in freight charges following a sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices.
All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan said diesel prices had increased by Rs20 per litre, while petrol prices had risen by Rs24 per litre over the past four days.
He noted that fuel prices had already increased by up to Rs23 per litre between August 20 and September 7, placing additional pressure on the transport sector and operating costs.
Awan criticized the government’s decision to revise petroleum prices on a daily basis, calling the policy unacceptable for transporters.
He recalled that during the nationwide transporters’ strike from August 8 to 17, the petroleum minister had assured the transport community that fuel prices would not be revised on a daily basis.
Following assurances from the federal and provincial governments, transporters had postponed their nationwide strike for 40 days to allow authorities time to resolve their concerns.
The transporters’ representative warned that if the government failed to fulfill its commitments, goods transporters across the country could launch another nationwide strike.
He said the government had requested 40 days to address the transporters’ issues, and the deadline is expected to expire next week.
