ISLAMABAD: The recent increase in petroleum product prices has prompted goods transporters to raise freight charges, further fueling concerns of inflation across the country.
The government on Monday raised petrol prices by Rs. 4.07 per liter and high-speed diesel by Rs. 4.04 per liter.
Rejecting the move, the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance announced a 3% hike in fares. Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan said the repeated increase in fuel prices is “unacceptable” and is destabilizing the transport sector.
“Transporters cannot sustain further losses. We categorically reject this decision,” he said, warning that unions are considering “a major decision” in the coming days. He added that continuous increases in taxes and fuel costs are leaving operators with no choice but to pass the burden onto consumers.
Economic analysts caution that the fare hike will directly affect the supply of essential goods between rural and urban areas.
Higher transportation costs are expected to push up prices of agricultural produce, industrial inputs, and retail commodities, adding pressure to already strained household budgets.
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