Diesel price hike crippling goods transport sector

The continuous increase in diesel prices has severely hit the goods transport sector, with several transporters once again parking their vehicles as rising fuel costs have made operations increasingly unprofitable, said All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry Advocate. Expressing concern over the surge in diesel prices, Chaudhry said the increase had "broken the backbone" of the goods transport business, with transporters facing mounting financial difficulties. He said the cost of diesel had reached an exceptionally high level, leaving transporters with little room to make reasonable profits after accounting for fuel costs, taxes and levies. "The savings generated from running vehicles have now turned into losses because of expensive diesel," he said, adding that continuing operations had become increasingly difficult. Chaudhry warned that higher diesel prices would also fuel inflation, as the transportation of essential commodities and other goods across the country was directly linked to the goods transport sector. He criticised the government for increasing diesel prices instead of providing effective relief to consumers and businesses, saying the additional cost was ultimately passed on through higher transportation charges and commodity prices. Chaudhry urged the government to reduce the per-litre prices of diesel and petrol directly instead of relying on complicated and uncertain relief packages. He said transporters had previously been promised monthly relief packages.