Islamabad, August 9: A nationwide strike by goods transporters and oil tankers in Pakistan is severely impacting industrial and export supply chains. Over 400,000 vehicles have halted operations, exacerbating the country’s financial crisis alongside issues related to jobs, fuel, and transportation.
Local media reported on Monday that disruptions in the industrial and export supply chains have been significant. Transport operators have initiated a strike across the country, pledging to continue their protests until their leadership engages in discussions with the government.
According to a report by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, Nisar Hussain Jafri, chairman of the Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance, stated that the strike will persist as their leadership intends to meet with ministers related to petroleum, transport, and ports on Monday.
He noted that operations of over 400,000 goods-carrying vehicles have been suspended since Saturday, pending meetings with officials. Jafri highlighted that transporters are protesting various issues, including the recently implemented daily fuel price system by the government.
The Pakistani government recently altered its method for setting petrol and diesel prices. Previously, fuel prices were adjusted weekly or monthly; however, the new system allows for daily price changes based on fluctuations in international oil markets.
Jafri has called for the reinstatement of the monthly fuel price system and a reduction of the withholding tax on transporters from 7% to 2%. He mentioned that oil carrier services are currently subject to a 2% withholding tax.
On Friday, the government reduced petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices by 2.20 PKR and 1.50 PKR per liter, respectively. These new fuel prices will remain in effect until Monday.
Another Pakistani newspaper, Business Recorder, reported that following the changes, petrol prices have reached 327.62 PKR per liter, while HSD prices are now at 380.86 PKR per liter.
As per Dawn’s report, on July 17, Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Parvez Malik and Information Minister Atta Tarar announced that due to renewed tensions in West Asia, global oil prices would fluctuate, leading to daily adjustments in fuel prices.
They also stated that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) would publish changing rates on its website, determining prices based on international market trends. Since early March, the Pakistani government has been adjusting fuel prices weekly.
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