KARACHI:The Pakistan Goods Transporters Thursday announced a 40 percent increase in fares after new oil price hike in the country.

The fare from Lahore to Karachi has been increased from Rs80,000 to Rs110,000, whereas the fare from Lahore to Islamabad was increased from Rs60,000 to Rs80,000.

Similarly, the fare from Lahore to Peshawar has been increased from Rs75,000 to Rs100,000, whereas, Lahore to Mansehra fare has been increased from Rs55,000 to Rs70,000. Moreover, the fare from Lahore to Multan has been increased from Rs40,000 to Rs50,000, whereas, Lahore to Quetta fare has been increased from Rs110,000 to Rs140,000.

Pakistan Goods Transporters General Secretary Nabil Tariq said that the government should take some effective measures for the betterment of the economy as the businesses were closing due to continuous rising prices of petroleum products. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has witnessed a storm of inflation following the unprecedented hike in the prices of petroleum products, for the public transporters have massively increased the fares.

It is learnt that the travel cost at local transport has been increased by Rs30 per stop, whereas, the taxi drivers have also added Rs100 to the fares. The inter-district transport fares have also witnessed an increase of Rs50, whereas, the prices of daily-use edibles and vegetables have also go skyrocketing. The basic needs of life have also gone beyond the reach of the common man.