The President of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, Malik Shehzad Awan, has announced a five per cent increase in goods transport fares after the recent rise in petrol and diesel prices, as reported by media on Friday.
Awan strongly criticised the government’s decision, saying it has further strained the already struggling logistics sector. He said transporters across the country reject the move and have not been provided any meaningful relief despite continuous hikes in fuel prices.
He highlighted the financial burden on transporters, stating that the cost of a single trailer trip has gone up by Rs200,000, while a truck making four trips a month now incurs an additional Rs800,000 in expenses.
Due to these rising costs, Awan said many transporters have been forced to stop operating with thousands parking their vehicles as running them has become unsustainable.
He urged the federal government to introduce immediate relief measures including eliminating toll taxes, withholding taxes and traffic fines imposed by motorway and traffic authorities.
Awan also termed the Rs80,000 subsidy for truck trailers inadequate given the current economic situation.
He warned that increasing fuel prices are driving up transportation costs, which in turn are contributing to rising inflation across the country.
Additionally, he noted that regional tensions and war like conditions have further disrupted transport operations.
Awan said that if the government does not revise its policies the transport system could collapse, severely affecting supply chains and economic activity.
He concluded by saying that transporters are currently operating at a loss for the sake of the country but this situation cannot continue for long.
Federal government increases petrol prices by Rs6 per litre
The federal government has increased the petrol price by Rs6.51 per litre. The government also increased the diesel prices by Rs19.39. The government announced the increase after the prices of petroleum products rose in the international market.
After the increase in petrol prices, the new petrol price in the country is Rs399.86. Similarly, after the increase in diesel prices, the new diesel price is Rs399.58.
It should be noted that earlier, in a statement issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), it was said that the news of a strike by petrol dealers is baseless, and there is no truth in the news of the closure of pumps on social media.
Also read: Will petrol pumps remain closed from May 1 to 5? APPPOA responds
