Goods transporters across Pakistan have announced that they will increase freight charges by up to 20%, citing a sharp rise in the price of diesel and petrol. The move comes as transport operators struggle to manage soaring fuel costs, which have pushed daily running expenses to unsustainable levels.
Shahzad Awan, President of the Transport Alliance, warned that the higher charges will soon affect basic rates of food items and everyday goods, making life more expensive for ordinary families.
He explained that with the cost of petroleum products skyrocketing, transporters can no longer absorb the losses.
According to transport representatives, the continued increase in diesel and petrol prices has left truckers and hauliers with no option but to adjust their rates. This decision follows months of talks with authorities that, transporters say, have not yielded the promised relief or financial support.
He also urged both federal and provincial governments to reduce toll taxes and other levies that put additional strain on transport businesses. He reminded officials of earlier agreements made to address the transport sector’s concerns, agreements that, he says, have yet to be honored.
Truck owners and drivers have long argued that fuel costs make up a significant part of their daily expenses, and when these rise sharply, their profit margins shrink rapidly. The sector has been calling for policy support for months, but frustration has grown as prices continue to climb.
