The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has warned that freight charges could be increased across the country if the government further raises petrol and diesel prices. The alliance has also threatened another nationwide strike if authorities fail to fulfil earlier commitments made to transporters.
Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan strongly criticised the federal government’s fuel pricing policy. He said another increase in diesel or petrol prices would force goods transporters to raise their fares nationwide.
Awan claimed that government policies were making it increasingly difficult for transporters to continue operating. He objected the frequent changes in petroleum prices and demanded that the policy be withdrawn.
Recent increases have already placed pressure. Petrol rose to Rs380.24 per litre and high-speed diesel to Rs409.42 per litre from September 15. Petrol has increased by Rs34.37 per litre and diesel by Rs31.37 per litre since September 5.
Transporters warn of another nationwide strike
Awan said the petroleum minister had assured transporters during their August strike that petroleum prices would not be revised daily.
Transporters had previously launched nationwide strikes in December and August over their demands. Assurances from the federal and provincial governments suspended the August strike for 40 days.
That 40 days period is expected to end next week. Awan warned that transporters across Pakistan would again go on strike if the federal and provincial governments failed to implement the agreements reached with them.
Goods transporters had already announced a further 5% increase in freight charges following fuel price increases earlier this month.
Transporters demand tax relief
The alliance has called on both federal and provincial governments to provide relief to the goods transport sector and fully implement the commitments made during the December and August strikes.
Awan said that if increasing petroleum prices is unavoidable for the government, transporters should instead receive relief through other measures.
He specifically called for reductions or relief in withholding tax, toll tax and other taxes imposed on the transport sector.
Transporters argue that higher diesel prices directly increase the cost of moving goods across Pakistan. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association, has similarly warned that rising diesel costs are making operations increasingly unprofitable and could ultimately increase transportation and commodity prices.
The transport alliance has now placed the focus on the government’s remaining deadline of 40 days, warning that failure to implement the agreed measures could result in another nationwide shutdown.