Government Raises Diesel Price; Transport Sector Warns of Nationwide Strike

The government has announced revised petroleum prices for the next fifteen days, effective from midnight. According to the latest notification, the price of diesel has been increased by Rs6 per litre, while petrol prices remain unchanged. Under the new rates, diesel will now cost Rs284.44 per litre and petrol Rs265.45 per litre.

Changes in petroleum prices typically affect transport fares and the cost of essential commodities. In this context, former Sindh Assembly member and President of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, Malik Shehzad Awan, expressed strong concern over the latest increase.

In his statement, Awan said the transport community strongly condemns the government’s decision. He added that continual increases in petroleum prices, toll taxes, and withholding taxes are creating severe difficulties for both transporters and the general public.

Awan warned that government policies are pushing transporters towards a nationwide strike, and if the situation continues, they will soon announce their future course of action. He further revealed that following the diesel price hike, the transport community has decided to raise fares by 4 percent.