Transporters | Pakistan

• Murad Ali Shah directs transport department to address remaining demands • KATI warns prolonged strike could disrupt production, essential supplies • LCCI calls for meaningful dialogue to end strike; says export containers worth $500 million stranded at factories KARACHI: As the goods transporters’ strike entered its sixth day on Thursday, continuing to disrupt industrial activity and exports, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah claimed that the dispute was “almost resolved” and only a few points remained under discussion. Speaking as chief guest at the 79th Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony organised by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday, the chief minister directed the provincial transport department to make efforts to settle the remaining issues at the earliest so that disruption facing transporters, industries and businesses could end. A delegation of the Transporters of Goods Association, led by Tariq Gujjar, met the chief minister at the KCCI event, where Mr Sha...

• Prices of vegetables, fruits, construction materials, essential commodities also surge • Citizens, businesses reject fuel price increase despite provincial relief measures • LCCI warns of higher production costs, reduced export competitiveness LAHORE: Transporters have incre­ased fares by up to 30 per cent following the recent fuel price hike, stressing that the government’s subsidy was insufficient to offset rising operational costs. Moreover, the record increase in petroleum prices has also caused a massive surge in the prices of vegetables, fruits, construction materials and several other items. On the other hand, the public at large has rejected the sharp increase in fuel prices despite some relief measures announced by the provincial governments. “Why has the government massively increased petroleum prices twice without considering how people, already burdened by inflation, will survive?” a motorist said while speaking to Dawn at a petrol pump in Gulberg on Friday. “From tomorrow onwards, I will stop u...