Transport operators across Pakistan have implemented a significant hike in freight charges following a sharp increase in diesel prices, which industry experts say has rendered transportation financially unsustainable. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association declared a nationwide freight rate increase of up to 40 percent, attributing this adjustment primarily to the Rs184.49 per litre rise in diesel costs.
Freight rates on major routes have already been updated. For instance, the cost of transporting goods from Karachi to Lahore has escalated from Rs10,000 per ton to Rs14,000 per ton. Similarly, shipments moving from Punjab to Karachi now face an additional Rs1,500 per ton charge, reflecting the growing financial pressures on transporters throughout the country.
Industry representatives emphasize that this increase was unavoidable, as fuel expenses, toll taxes, and other operational costs have all surged concurrently. They caution that if these pressures persist, the logistics and supply chains across Pakistan may face further disruption. The association’s leadership, including Owais Chaudhry, described the current scenario as unsustainable and urged for an immediate reduction in petroleum prices to curb further increases in transport and freight costs nationwide.
This development is expected to have widespread effects on markets across Pakistan, driving up the cost of goods as higher freight charges gradually translate into increased retail prices. Earlier, public transport operators also raised fares following the steep rise in petrol and diesel prices, a move that is likely to fuel inflationary pressures across the country.
In Rawalpindi, transport operators have raised fares significantly, with taxi, rickshaw, and online bike-hailing services increasing their charges by up to 35 percent. Likewise, intercity bus fares in various cities have surged by 25 to 30 percent, often without official authorization. Transporters argue that the recent petroleum price hikes are unjustified and maintain that lowering fares under current conditions is impossible.
Officials confirmed that petrol prices have increased by Rs138 per litre, reaching Rs458.40 per litre, while diesel prices have risen by Rs184 per litre, now standing at Rs520.35 per litre.
