In response to escalating petrol prices, the federal and Sindh provincial governments have launched initiatives aimed at easing the burden of increased transportation expenses on the public. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that citizens will receive support during this challenging period, unveiling a nationwide effort to subsidize public transport and freight vehicles.
During a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, officials reviewed the early implementation of the petroleum subsidy program, which commenced ahead of schedule on Saturday. The Prime Minister also highlighted a public relief package totaling Rs 129 billion that has been deployed over the last three weeks to assist commuters and transport operators.
The subsidies are structured to provide Rs 100,000 per passenger bus, Rs 40,000 per minibus, Rs 70,000 per truck, Rs 80,000 per freight vehicle, and Rs 35,000 per van. To maintain transparency, these funds are being disbursed digitally. Furthermore, the petrol levy has been cut by Rs 80 per liter, Pakistan Railways is contributing a Rs 6 billion subsidy, and both passenger and freight fares are set to remain stable. The government has also halted a planned 25 percent increase in the quarterly toll tax.
On the provincial front, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed the commitment to keep public transport fares at the levels fixed on February 28. The Sindh government is allocating Rs 14 billion in subsidies, which, combined with federal support, aims to prevent transporters from transferring additional costs to passengers.
Currently, around 11,000 buses and 470 government-operated vehicles are active in Sindh. Transport associations have pledged their cooperation to ensure that fares do not rise. These coordinated efforts between federal and provincial authorities mark a significant step in protecting commuters from the financial impact of rising fuel prices.
