Transporters raise freight charges by 7%

The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance has announced a seven per cent increase in freight charges following a sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices, adding to concerns over further increases in the prices of essential commodities.

According to transporters, the freight for a container from Peshawar to Karachi has reached Rs900,000, while the charge from Lahore to Peshawar has risen to Rs700,000. Freight charges for trucks, trailers and containers operating from Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Multan have reached as much as Rs500,000.

The alliance said freight charges had now been increased twice amid a sustained rise in fuel prices. During the past seven days, diesel prices have increased by Rs26.88 per litre, while petrol prices have risen by Rs20 per litre.

Transporters maintained that it had become impossible to operate at the previous freight rates because of the continuous increase in fuel costs. They said rising fuel prices had substantially increased operating expenses, leaving them with little choice but to revise transportation charges.

The government further increased the price of diesel by Rs3.47 per litre on Thursday, taking its price to Rs424.92 per litre.

The latest increase in freight charges is expected to raise the cost of transporting commercial goods and essential commodities across the country.