ISLAMABAD: Goods transporters across Pakistan have urged the government to stop changing petrol and diesel prices every day, saying frequent adjustments are creating financial challenges for the transport sector and making business planning difficult.
The demand was raised by the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance during a meeting between its President Malik Shahzad Awan and Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi. Transport representatives informed the governor about the problems faced by the industry due to the current fuel pricing policy.
Awan said daily changes in petroleum prices were making it difficult for transporters to set freight charges, finalize transportation agreements and manage rising operational expenses. He warned that uncertainty in fuel costs was also affecting other sectors linked to transportation and trade.
The alliance requested the government to review fuel prices every 15 days or once a month instead of making changes on a daily basis. Transporters said a more stable pricing system would help businesses plan their expenses and avoid sudden financial pressure.
The transport body also called for reductions in toll taxes, withholding taxes and other government charges. It said lowering these costs would provide relief to transport companies struggling with increasing expenses.
Awan said an agreement reached between the government and transporters after a nationwide strike in December last year had not been fully implemented. He added that transporters continued their operations despite facing financial losses because they wanted to support the country’s economic activities.
During the meeting, Governor Hashmi acknowledged the concerns raised by the transport sector and said cooperation between transporters and the federal government was necessary during challenging policy decisions.
He assured the representatives that their legitimate demands would be communicated to the concerned authorities for further consideration.
The transport industry plays a key role in Pakistan’s economy by moving goods between cities and supporting supply chains. Transporters have repeatedly called for policies that provide stability in fuel prices and reduce additional costs affecting their operations.
Industry representatives believe that replacing daily fuel price adjustments with a fixed review system would bring more predictability and help businesses manage transportation expenses more effectively.
