The Sindh government has issued a directive prohibiting any increase in school van fares, offering relief to students facing the impact of rising fuel prices caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict. This decision follows instructions from Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who emphasized maintaining current transport rates for students.
All public and private schools have been ordered to adhere strictly to this circular and to provide comprehensive information regarding their pick-and-drop services, including details of all vans, to the relevant authorities. The provincial administration has also announced plans to support transport operators financially to mitigate their operational costs.
Officials have warned that any breach of this order will result in stringent penalties. This announcement came shortly after Chief Minister Shah declared that public transport fares across Sindh would remain unchanged despite the surge in fuel prices, offering commuters some respite.
During a press briefing, CM Shah highlighted that consultations with transport stakeholders confirmed their agreement to maintain fare levels as of February 28. He assured that the government would compensate transporters for any financial shortfalls resulting from this policy.
To support this initiative, the provincial government will provide Rs100,000 per registered bus, along with additional funds to cover operational expenses. Currently, Sindh operates approximately 470 government-run buses, while around 11,000 buses serve the province overall.
The chief minister also cautioned unregistered transport operators against raising fares and urged them to register to qualify for government subsidies. This move comes amid a sharp increase in fuel prices, with petrol reaching Rs458.41 per litre and high-speed diesel climbing to Rs520.35 per litre. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif subsequently reduced petrol prices to Rs378 per litre for a month and cut the petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre.
The turmoil in the Gulf region has caused a global spike in oil and energy costs, prompting many countries, including Pakistan, to implement austerity and fuel conservation measures. Sindh’s latest actions aim to shield its residents from the full brunt of these economic pressures.
