Fuel price hike pushes goods transporters to raise fares by 5%

According to officials, a special facility has been introduced on the Punjab Emergency Helpline 15 to provide immediate psychological support.

KARACHI: The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced a 5% increase in goods transportation fares following a fresh rise in petroleum product prices, warning that frequent changes in fuel rates are placing additional pressure on the transport sector.

Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan criticised the continued increase in petroleum prices and said transporters could no longer absorb the rising operational costs. He termed the frequent and even daily changes in fuel prices unacceptable.

Awan recalled that the alliance had postponed its nationwide strike for 40 days following assurances from the government. He said the agreed period would expire next week, after which the transporters would decide their next course of action.

The fare increase is expected to raise transportation costs for businesses and could have an impact on the prices of goods being moved across the country.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami has announced plans to march towards Islamabad on September 20 to protest against the petroleum levy, adding to growing opposition over rising fuel-related costs.

Moreover, The federal government has increased the prices of major petroleum products by more than Rs5 per litre, adding further pressure on consumers amid a continued rise in fuel prices.

According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) revised petroleum prices under the pricing mechanism established by the federal government.

The price of high-speed diesel has been increased by Rs5.28 per litre taking its new price above the Rs400 mark to Rs403.32 per litre.

The price of petrol has also been increased by Rs5.02 per litre, with the new petrol price set at Rs375.82 per litre.

The revised petroleum prices will remain effective for three days, from September 12 to September 14, 2026, according to the official notification.

The latest increase comes after a series of fuel price hikes announced by the government during the week.

Just a day earlier, the price of high-speed diesel had been increased by Rs5.37 per litre, taking it to Rs398.04 per litre. Petrol had also been increased by Rs3.05 per litre, with its price rising to Rs370.80 per litre.

The latest adjustment means motorists and businesses will face another increase in transportation and operating costs. Higher diesel prices could also affect freight and public transport expenses, while the rise in petrol prices is likely to increase the cost of daily commuting for vehicle owners.

The repeated increases in petroleum prices are expected to draw attention from consumers and businesses already dealing with higher living and operating costs.

The government’s latest notification has specified that the new prices will apply only for the three-day period from September 12 through September 14. Further revisions could therefore be announced afterward depending on global oil prices, exchange-rate movements and the applicable pricing mechanism.

For consumers, the latest adjustment means petrol will cost Rs375.82 per litre, while high-speed diesel will be available at Rs403.32 per litre during the announced period.