KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced on Sunday that public transport fares across the province would remain unchanged, providing relief to commuters amid rising fuel costs.
Addressing a press conference, CM Shah confirmed that following consultations with stakeholders, transport operators had agreed to maintain fares at the same rates as of February 28. He emphasised that unregistered operators increasing fares would face strict action and urged them to register to become eligible for government subsidies.
Compensation for Transporters
To offset financial losses caused by the fare freeze, the Sindh government announced targeted support for transporters. Registered buses will receive Rs100,000 per vehicle, along with additional operational cost coverage. Currently, Sindh has around 11,000 buses in operation, including 470 government-run vehicles.
CM Shah highlighted that these targeted subsidies are designed to support low-income commuters directly. “This is the most effective way to provide relief to those who need it most,” he said, noting that online food delivery users generally fall above the poverty line and therefore are not prioritized for such subsidies.
Fuel Price Context
The announcement comes after a steep increase in petroleum prices. Petrol surged to Rs458.41 per litre, marking a Rs137.23 rise, while high-speed diesel climbed to Rs520.35 per litre, up by Rs184.49. A day later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reduced petrol prices to Rs378 per litre for one month and cut the petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre.
The ongoing turmoil in the Gulf has driven global energy prices higher, prompting Pakistan to roll out austerity measures and fuel conservation initiatives. Similarly, the federal and Punjab governments have introduced free public transport schemes to ease citizens’ financial burdens.
Additional Relief Measures
Earlier this month, CM Shah announced a Rs2,000 subsidy for registered motorcyclists for April, along with a waiver on motorbike transfer fees. Small farmers are also set to receive support, with around 336,000 growers owning up to 25 acres each receiving Rs1,500 per acre to cover diesel costs for wheat threshing. Payments are expected to begin next week.
The chief minister expressed satisfaction with the cooperation of transport operators and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting low-income groups through targeted subsidies, ensuring that relief reaches those who need it most.
