ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digial) The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced a five percent increase in goods transport fares across the country in response to continued increases in petroleum product prices.
According to local media reports, Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan strongly criticised what he described as repeated changes in fuel prices, warning that frequent adjustments were putting significant pressure on the country’s transport sector.
Awan said daily changes in fuel prices would not be acceptable, arguing that uncertainty over fuel costs was disrupting the overall transportation system and increasing operational expenses for goods carriers.
The increase in freight charges is expected to affect the cost of transporting goods across different parts of the country, potentially adding further pressure to businesses and consumers already facing higher operating and living costs.
The transport alliance president said the government had previously requested additional time to address the concerns of the transport sector. According to Awan, a nationwide strike had been postponed for 40 days following assurances from the government.
He said the period granted to the government would end next week, after which the alliance would decide its future course of action.
The transport sector has repeatedly raised concerns over fuel prices, taxes, operating expenses and other costs associated with the movement of goods. Transport operators argue that sustained increases in fuel prices directly affect freight rates because fuel represents a major component of their operating expenditure.
The latest fare increase comes amid broader concerns over rising transportation and commodity costs. Any sustained increase in freight charges could have an impact on supply chains, particularly for businesses that rely heavily on road transportation to move agricultural products, industrial goods and consumer items.
Meanwhile, the political debate over petroleum prices is also intensifying. Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a march towards Islamabad on September 20 to protest against the imposition of a petroleum levy and what it describes as government policies that are placing an additional financial burden on the public.
The development adds another layer to growing pressure on the government over fuel prices and taxation.
The goods transport alliance has not ruled out further action if its concerns are not addressed after the government’s deadline expires. Any decision to proceed with a nationwide strike could potentially disrupt the movement of goods and affect supply chains across the country.
For now, transport operators have implemented the announced five percent increase, while the sector awaits the government’s response to their demands and concerns over fuel pricing.
The situation is likely to remain closely watched by businesses, consumers and transport operators as higher fuel costs continue to influence transportation expenses and the broader cost of goods.
