Twin cities reel from fuel shock

The unprecedented rise in petroleum prices, with diesel reaching Rs403 per litre, has severely affected the economy of the twin cities, pushing up transport fares and the prices of essential commodities. Following a sharp increase in diesel prices, inter-city, inter-district and long-route transporters have raised fares by 27%. Goods transporters have also increased freight for containers, trucks and trailers travelling from Karachi via Rawalpindi to more than Rs900,000, driving up the prices of food items, vegetables and fruits. With petrol reaching Rs376 per litre, pick-and-drop operators have increased fares for students and working women by Rs1,000 per person. Many citizens have switched from larger vehicles to smaller cars, while low-paid employees are increasingly using motorcycles. Motorcycle sales on instalments have consequently risen by 22% in the open market over the past three days. Motorists have also reduced fuel purchases, with those previously buying Rs3,000 worth of petrol now spending Rs1,000 to Rs1,500, while motorcycle riders have cut their purchases from Rs2,000 to around Rs500. Transport Federation Patron-in-Chief Haji Zahoor Arain said fare increases were unavoidable but would be reversed if fuel prices fell.