ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance has announced a further 5% increase in freight charges following sharp increases in petroleum prices, warning that transporters could resume a nationwide strike if the government fails to honour its commitments.
President of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance Malik Shahzad Awan said diesel prices had increased by around Rs20 per litre and petrol prices by Rs24 per litre during the past four days, placing additional pressure on the transport sector.
He said petroleum prices had already risen by up to Rs23 per litre between August 20 and September 7, adding that the repeated increases had made it increasingly difficult for goods transporters to operate at existing freight rates.
Awan strongly opposed the government’s decision to revise petroleum product prices on a daily basis, terming the mechanism unacceptable for the transport industry.
He said the Petroleum Minister had assured transporters during their nationwide strike from August 8 to 17 that petroleum product prices would not be changed on a daily basis.
According to him, transporters had deferred their nationwide strike for 40 days on the assurances given by the federal and provincial governments that their concerns would be addressed.
He warned that failure to implement the agreements reached with the transporters would leave them with no option but to launch another nationwide strike across Pakistan.
Awan said the federal and provincial governments had sought 40 days to resolve the issues raised by the transport sector, but the deadline would expire next week.
The latest freight increase is likely to put additional pressure on the cost of transporting goods across the country, with higher transportation charges potentially feeding into the prices of commodities and other goods.
The transporters’ announcement comes amid repeated increases in petrol and high-speed diesel prices, with diesel being a major operating expense for trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles used for movement of goods across Pakistan.
The alliance has linked its latest decision directly to the cumulative increase in petroleum prices and the government’s daily pricing mechanism, signalling renewed tensions between the transport sector and the authorities.
The warning of another nationwide strike also raises the prospect of disruption to the movement of essential commodities, industrial inputs and other goods if the dispute remains unresolved after the expiry of the government’s 40-day commitment period.