Goods transporters across Pakistan increased freight rates by up to 40% over a three-day period following fuel price hikes that pushed High-Speed Diesel past the historical benchmark of Rs 400 per liter.
Freight charges for container transport from Karachi to Peshawar have surged past Rs 900,000 per container. Local and inter-district passenger fares have also experienced arbitrary hikes of up to 27%, while minimum stop-to-stop fares reached Rs 60, severely driving up the prices of essential commodities, fruits, and vegetables nationwide. In response to petrol prices reaching Rs 376 per liter, a significant shift toward motorcycle usage was reported, resulting in a 22% increase in installment-based motorcycle sales.
Labor unions, teacher associations, and bar associations held demonstrations demanding immediate financial relief for civil servants in Grades 1 to 16. Addressing the public outcry, the Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Rawalpindi summoned a formal meeting with transport union representatives for Monday to establish an official fare structure and ordered strict legal action against unauthorized fare hikes.
