By Anum Naseem
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday announced that public transport fares would not be increased across the province, offering commuters relief amid rising fuel costs.
Speaking at a press conference, CM Shah said he had made it clear two days earlier that fares should remain unchanged, following which the transport department held consultations with various stakeholders. The decision comes after a sharp increase in fuel prices, with petrol rising to Rs458.41 per liter following a Rs137.23 hike, and high-speed diesel climbing to Rs520.35 per liter, up by Rs184.49.
A day later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reduced the petrol price to Rs378 per liter for a month and slashed the petroleum levy by Rs80 per liter. Turmoil in the Gulf region has triggered a spike in global oil and energy prices, prompting countries around the world to ration fuel. Pakistan, ranked among emerging markets “most at risk,” has also introduced a wide-ranging austerity and fuel conservation plan.
Separately, the federal and Punjab governments announced free public transport measures to ease the burden on citizens. CM Shah expressed satisfaction that transporters had agreed to support the government’s stance, pledging to maintain fares at the same rates as of 28 February.
He said the government would compensate transporters for any financial losses incurred and announced that registered buses would receive Rs100,000 per vehicle from the provincial government, with additional operational costs also to be covered. He noted that the province currently operates around 11,000 buses, of which 470 are government-run.
