Islamabad, July 13: The Pakistan Goods Transporters Association has announced a strike in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces from July 25, citing “excessive toll tax” and “unjust fines”.
This comes even as the Pakistan government is mulling a substantial increase in the prices of petrol and diesel for the next fortnight.
Goods Transporters Association president Nabeel Mahmood Tariq said in a statement that the strike was initially scheduled for July 15 but was postponed due to Muharram.
He said that they will initially observe the strike in two provinces – Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – and may expand it to other provinces if their demands are not met.
The goods transporters are protesting against the excessive toll tax, which according to them increases every three months, and the exorbitant fines imposed on them.
The association demanded an end to the extortion system on highways and the transfer of axle load to the motorway police. Tariq warned that if their demands are not met, they will be forced to call a nationwide strike, ARY news reported.
The strike is expected to disrupt goods transportation and supply chains in the two provinces, potentially leading to shortages and price hikes.
The government had announced a 30% increase, but most toll taxes have been raised by 35% to 40%.
The details are as follows:
For heavy vehicles, the toll tax on national highways has been increased from Rs250 to Rs350, which amounts to a 40% increase.
Similarly, on the M5, it has been increased from Rs3,280 to RS4,500, amounting to a 37% increase.
For axle trucks on the M3, the toll tax has been increased from Rs1,550 to Rs2,100, and for buses, it has been raised from Rs.1200 to 1600.
Meanwhile, in another move to burden the common man, the Pakistan government is mulling a substantial hike in the prices of petrol and diesel in next two days.
ARY news quoting sources said that a proposal to raise the prices of petrol and diesel has been submitted, indicating a substantial hike. The proposed increase in petrol prices is Rs 7.67 per liter, which would raise the price from Rs 265.61 to Rs 273.28 per liter.
Additionally, the proposal includes an increase of Rs 3.72 per liter for high-speed diesel, pushing the price from Rs 277.45 to Rs 281.17 per liter. The price of kerosene is suggested to rise by Rs 2.39 per liter, and light diesel by Rs 1 per liter.
The proposed increases are influenced by various factors, including global oil prices, currency exchange rates, and financial considerations for the energy sector.
The final decision regarding the new prices of petroleum products will be made by the Prime Minister. Once approved, the new prices will take effect for the following 15 days starting from July 16.
This anticipated hike follows a recent increase from July 1 to July 15, where the price of petrol was raised by Rs 7.45 per liter, bringing it to the current Rs 265.61 per liter.
