LAHORE: Goods transporters on Wednesday announced a 20 per cent hike in fares, citing the recent increase in diesel prices and additional toll plazas along highways.
All Pakistan Goods Transport Association President Mahmood Tariq said the fare from Lahore to Karachi has been increased from Rs100,000 to Rs120,000.
The fare from Lahore to Peshawar has gone up from Rs80,000 to Rs96,000, and from Lahore to Rawalpindi, the fare has increased from Rs60,000 to Rs72,000.
The revised fare from Lahore to Quetta now stands at Rs144,000, up from Rs120,000. Meanwhile, the fare from Karachi to Lahore has risen from Rs300,000 to Rs350,000.
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From Karachi to Rawalpindi, the fare has been raised from Rs450,000 to Rs500,000. The fare from Karachi to Peshawar has increased from Rs450,000 to Rs555,000.
Tariq said this was the third consecutive hike in diesel prices, leaving transporters with no choice but to raise fares. He added that the establishment of new toll plazas on various highways has also contributed to the rising cost of goods transportation.
The federal government on Tuesday raised the prices of petroleum products, with a significant hike in diesel rates.
According to a notification issued by the Finance Division, the price of petrol had been hiked by Rs5.36 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) has seen a sharp rise of Rs11.37 per litre.
Following the revision, the new price of HSD stands at Rs284.35 per litre.
The price hike comes amid fluctuations in global oil markets and is likely to impact transportation costs and inflation across the country.