Public transport fares in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have surged by 15 to 17 per cent following the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices by the Pakistan government. Additionally, freight charges for goods transport operators have been raised by 20 per cent. This adjustment comes in response to the government’s policy of frequent revisions in fuel prices.
The pick and drop service for office workers and students has announced that their charges will now fluctuate based on petrol and diesel price revisions. Notably, the minimum stop-to-stop fare for public transport in the two cities has been raised to Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 60. Long-haul transporters have also increased their tariffs, with the freight charge for various transport services between Karachi and Peshawar reportedly climbing to PKR 800,000.
Transport operators have indicated that inter-city fares in Rawalpindi district have risen by 15 per cent, while intra-district routes now have fares increased by 17 per cent. Services operating between Rawalpindi and Islamabad have seen a 20 per cent fare hike. Long-distance transport operators have adjusted their fares upwards by 17 per cent in response to the fuel price revisions.
Pakistan recently raised petrol and diesel prices by PKR 5.44 and PKR 31.05 per litre, respectively, due to higher import premiums and international prices following tensions in West Asia. The price of petrol in Pakistan now stands at PKR 316.15 per litre, while the price of HSD is PKR 354.35. Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister, Ali Pervaiz Malik, mentioned that fuel prices will now be set daily due to fluctuations in international market prices amid tensions between Iran and the US.
