Daily fuel pricing drives freight surge

Transporters and traders face uncertainty under new pricing regime

RAWALPINDI:

The introduction of daily adjustments to petrol and diesel prices has triggered a steep increase in goods transport fares for intra-city, inter-district and long-haul freight services, raising concerns among wholesalers and traders over the impact on the prices of essential commodities.

Transporters have imposed an immediate 5% increase in freight charges, while truck and trailer operators transporting goods from Karachi to Rawalpindi have reportedly revised freight rates to more than Rs800,000 per consignment. Operators have also begun demanding additional payments if diesel prices rise during transit, placing an extra financial burden on traders.

The move has alarmed wholesale merchants, particularly those dealing in fruit, vegetables and grocery items, who fear further increases in retail prices. Delivery charges for transporting pulses, sugar, flour, rice and other essential goods from wholesale markets to neighbourhood retailers have also risen.

In contrast, petrol pump owners have welcomed the government's decision to introduce daily revisions in fuel prices, saying it reflects market realities.

Goods Transport Union Secretary Faiz Akbar said the new pricing mechanism had made it virtually impossible to determine fixed freight rates for long-distance cargo.

"Heavy vehicles travelling from Karachi to Rawalpindi or Peshawar typically refuel three or four times during a single journey. If diesel prices increase while the vehicle is en route, drivers cannot be expected to absorb the additional cost themselves," he said, adding that the difference would inevitably be passed on through higher freight charges.

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Nanbais seek increase in roti price

our correspondent

RAWALPINDI. The All Pakistan Nanbai Association has termed flour, fine flour and commercial gas cylinder prices completely out of control and demanded that the price of red flour roti be increased from Rs17 to Rs25, along with higher rates for naan, kulcha, paratha and roghni naan. The association has given the district administration until July 31 to approve revised prices, warning that it will implement new rates from August 1 if no decision is made.

It also threatened an indefinite shutdown of tandoors across Punjab if owners are harassed through fines or legal action.

A General Council meeting has been convened today (Thursday) to endorse the decision. Association leaders said the administration has failed to supply subsidised flour under the existing agreement.

Of the district's 4,500 tandoors, each was to receive five 20kg flour bags daily, but only about 7,000 bags are currently available for distribution. They said a 79kg flour bag now costs up to Rs11,500, fine flour Rs12,650, commercial gas cylinders up to Rs19,000, while ghee, dry milk, sesame and transport costs have also increased.