PESHAWAR: The representatives of traders’ bodies have rejected the axle load management policy, fearing that if implemented the measure would lead to an unprecedented increase in the prices of daily use commodities in the country.

Speaking at a meeting here on Sunday, the traders dealing in fruits, vegetables and other groceries expressed serious concern over the price hike and urged the government to devise an economic policy in consultation with all the stakeholders, including the wholesalers, the retailers and the commission agents, to overcome the soaring prices of commodities.

All Pakistan Agricultural Produce Traders Federation president Malik Sohni, and prominent traders’ leaders, including Pir Ali Marjan, Haji Muhtaram Gul, Mohammad Shafiq, Tariq Jan and others, attended the meeting.

The participants said if the new axle load management policy was implemented it would give the transporters an opportunity to raise the goods transport charges, which would force the traders to pay additional money, leading to increase in prices of the commodities.

The actual sufferer of the axle load management policy would be the poor consumers, noted Malik Sohni, and urged the government to avoid taking unilateral decisions.

The speakers noted that such anti-business policies would further affect the export sector and industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to its distance from the port city of Karachi. They said the traders would resist in case the axle load management policy was implemented unilaterally.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2020