ISLAMABAD
Goods transporters across Pakistan have been forced to put a complete halt to their daily operations. The sudden and persistent spike in diesel prices has created a massive financial crisis, leaving vehicle owners drowning in heavy losses rather than making any profit, according to industry leaders.
Muhammad Owais Chaudhry, who serves as the President of the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association, spoke out about the unbearable situation in local media reports. He explained that fuel costs have skyrocketed to such extreme levels that normal earnings have completely vanished. After paying for expensive diesel, heavy taxes, and government levies, drivers and owners are left with nothing.
The crisis hit a breaking point after the government announced another painful hike in fuel rates. Authorities raised petrol prices by 4.10 rupees and high-speed diesel by 6.41 rupees per liter. Following this latest update, high-speed diesel has reached a staggering 415.83 rupees per liter, while petrol is now priced at 384.34 rupees per liter. Citizens and business owners are also struggling because the government continues to impose massive taxes, charging 100 rupees in duties on every liter of diesel and 114 rupees on petrol.
Chaudhry strongly criticized officials for failing to provide any relief to hardworking citizens and struggling businesses during these tough economic times. He warned that these added fuel expenses hurt the entire supply chain, driving up the cost of everyday goods. Transporters are now urgently demanding that the government reverse these price hikes and lower fuel costs immediately so they can get back on the road.
This trouble stems from shifting global markets. Back in July, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that fuel prices would change frequently due to market shifts caused by tensions between Iran and the US. Since then, weekly revisions have kept fuel costs unstable, pushing local industries to the absolute edge and forcing transporters to park their trucks until relief finally arrives.