By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Public transport has been made free in Islamabad and Punjab after a sharp increase in fuel prices, as authorities moved to ease the burden on commuters. The decision follows a significant rise in petrol and diesel rates across the country.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that, on the Prime Minister’s instructions, public transport in Islamabad had been made free, adding that the Interior Ministry would bear the cost of Rs 350 million.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that passengers using the Orange Line train, Metro Bus service, Speedo buses and Green electric buses would not have to purchase tickets. She also announced a subsidy of Rs 100 per litre of diesel per acre for farmers, saying the government would not leave people alone in difficult times. She urged citizens to use public transport instead of private vehicles during the current crisis.
Earlier, Minister of State Ali Pervaiz Malik had said that motorcyclists would receive 20 litres of petrol per month at subsidised rates, while intercity public transport would get a subsidy of Rs 100 per litre on diesel. Trucks and goods transport vehicles will receive a monthly fuel subsidy of Rs 70,000 as part of the government’s broader relief measures.
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