LAHORE: The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced a 5% increase in freight charges following repeated increases in petrol and diesel prices, while warning that transporters could resume a nationwide strike if the government fails to implement its earlier agreement with the industry.
Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan said the frequent changes in petroleum prices were unacceptable and urged the government to withdraw the policy of revising fuel prices on a daily basis.
According to him, diesel and petrol prices had increased by Rs20 and Rs24 per litre, respectively, over the preceding four days. He said the continued rise in fuel costs was placing additional financial pressure on the transport sector.
The increase in freight charges could also add to transportation costs for businesses and potentially affect the prices of goods transported across the country.
The transporters’ alliance also called on the government to provide relief on taxes if increases in petroleum prices could not be avoided.
He maintained that transporters should not be expected to absorb the impact of rising fuel prices while continuing to operate under existing tax and operational costs.
Transporters Warn of Fresh Strike
The alliance president warned that goods transporters could once again launch a nationwide strike if the government failed to honour commitments made during negotiations with the transport industry.
The warning comes weeks after goods transporters across Pakistan observed a strike from August 8 to August 17. The protest was suspended after an agreement was reached with government representatives.
On August 17, the transporters announced that the strike had been postponed for 40 days after claiming that the government had accepted their demands.
One of the key understandings was reportedly that petroleum prices would not be reviewed on a daily basis.
However, transporters now say that repeated changes in fuel prices have raised concerns over the implementation of that understanding.
The government recently increased the price of high-speed diesel by Rs5.28 per litre to Rs403.32, while petrol became Rs5.02 more expensive, reaching Rs375.82 per litre.
The new prices were scheduled to remain applicable from September 12 to September 14, amid repeated increases in petrol and diesel prices during the week.
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The transporters’ latest decision has renewed concerns about rising logistics costs and the potential impact on businesses, supply chains and consumers across Pakistan.
