Goods transporters hike fares by 7pc amid rising fuel prices

Goods transporters have announced a seven percent increase in freight charges following a sharp rise in diesel and petrol prices, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan on Friday said the price of diesel had increased by Rs26.88 per litre over the past seven days. He said petrol price had also risen by Rs20 per litre during the same period.

According to Shehzad Awan, the increase in fuel prices had significantly raised operating costs for the goods transportation sector, leaving transporters with limited options to absorb the additional expenses.

Shehzad Awan said that transporters were granted 40 days period by the federal and provincial governments for implementation of the agreements inked with the transporters, which is going to expire next week.

He warned that if the federal and provincial government will not abide by the agreements, then the transporters have no choice but to observe a countrywide strike.

He demanded that the government provide relief to transporters under the heads of subsidy, toll tax, and withholding tax.

The new 7 percent increase in freight charges is expected to affect the cost of transporting goods across the country.

The rise in transportation costs has also raised concerns about further increases in the prices of essential commodities. 

Higher freight charges can add to the overall cost of moving food items, industrial products, and other necessities from suppliers and markets to consumers.

Transport operators have attributed the decision to the recent surge in fuel prices and said the additional costs were making it increasingly difficult to maintain existing freight rates.

Reporter: Basim Iftikhar