Pakistan Railways has introduced a significant concession for the families of journalists by offering a 50 percent discount on train travel for the spouses of working journalists. This discount applies across its entire network, excluding premium services such as the Green Line, Pak Business Express, and Shah Hussain Express. Eligible spouses can avail the discount for up to ten single journeys, provided they present the required documentation to confirm eligibility.
This initiative aims to provide financial relief and facilitate easier travel for journalists’ families, reflecting Pakistan Railways’ commitment to supporting the media community while maintaining clear guidelines on the concession’s scope.
In a related development, the government has announced a comprehensive relief package for railway passengers in response to the recent surge in petrol prices. Despite a sharp increase in international oil prices and a subsequent rise in domestic diesel rates, the government has chosen to absorb these costs rather than passing them on to commuters.
The decision comes amid a global energy crisis that has severely impacted the transport sector, typically causing a chain reaction of rising logistics costs, increased public transport fares, and inflation in essential goods. Initially, Pakistan Railways had projected a 30 percent fare increase to cover the budget shortfall caused by higher fuel expenses. However, the Prime Minister intervened, banning any fare hikes across all service classes.
Key elements of the relief package include maintaining current fares for Economy and AC classes, keeping freight charges stable to support businesses and control commodity prices, and the government assuming an additional financial burden of 6 billion PKR until June 30 to cover the deficit.
Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi praised the Prime Minister’s directive, emphasizing that it ensures rail travel remains affordable for the general public during these challenging economic times. He described the decision as a gift to passengers, providing a dependable and cost-effective alternative to road transport amid the fuel price crisis.
