Goods transporters across Pakistan have announced a 10 percent increase in freight charges after the government raised petrol and diesel prices.
The announcement was made by Malik Shehzad Awan, president of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, in a video statement where he criticized the fuel price hike and called it harmful for the transport sector.
He said transporters nationwide strongly oppose the decision, adding that rising fuel prices have increased operational costs and made it difficult for many businesses to survive.
According to him, freight charges for goods transport services will now increase by 10 percent across the country.
Malik Shehzad Awan said that due to what he described as poor government policies, many transporters are facing financial pressure and unemployment.
He urged the federal government to provide relief by removing extra costs such as toll taxes, motorway fines, traffic penalties, and withholding tax, especially if fuel prices continue to rise. He added that the current subsidy system is not enough to handle the increasing expenses.
He further said that continuous increases in petrol and diesel prices have badly affected transport operations, but transporters are still continuing their services in the national interest to keep the supply of goods running smoothly.
He also called on the government to review its policies and take immediate steps to stabilize the transport sector and avoid further economic problems.
