Transport charges will increase after goods transporters announced a 15% rise in freight rates following the federal government’s latest fuel price increase.

The decision is likely to raise transportation costs across Lahore and increase the prices of essential commodities.

Malik Shahzad Awan, President of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, criticised the fuel price increase and urged the government to abolish toll taxes, withholding taxes and traffic challans imposed on transporters.

He said rising operating costs had placed transporters under severe financial pressure.

Awan added that many operators had already parked their vehicles because they could no longer afford to keep them on the road.

The latest fuel price increase has also affected passenger transport services.

Industry representatives said Mini Mazda operators and other public transport providers in Lahore increased fares by up to 10% to offset higher fuel costs.

The Pakistan Mazda and Goods Transporters Association also raised fares for Mini Mazda and goods transport vehicles by up to 10%.

Public transport operators adopted similar increases and passed the additional costs directly to passengers.

Under the revised fare structure, operators increased intercity fares by Rs80 to Rs900, depending on the distance and destination.

The higher fares will add more financial pressure on commuters already struggling with inflation.

Transport authorities will meet at Lahore’s Transport House to finalise the official fare structure after the latest fuel price revision.

Haji Sher Ali, President of the Pakistan Mazda and Goods Transporters Association, said repeated fuel price changes had made business planning increasingly difficult.

He warned that constant price fluctuations would also make it harder to keep essential commodity prices stable.

The federal government increased petroleum prices this week after renewed tensions in the Middle East drove global oil prices higher.

Under the latest revision, the price of high-speed diesel increased by Rs31.05 per litre to Rs345.35, while petrol rose by Rs5.44 per litre to Rs316.15.