Free transport announced in Punjab after petrol price hike

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Friday announced free public transport for all passengers following a massive increase in petrol prices.

The federal government has raised the price of petrol by Rs138 per litre, bringing the new rate to Rs458.40 per litre. Meanwhile, the diesel price has been increased by Rs184 per litre, reaching Rs520.35 per litre.

In a statement, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced a comprehensive relief package for citizens.

Public transport has been made free for passengers across all cities of Punjab. This includes services such as the Orange Line, Metro Bus, Speedo buses, and Green Electric Buses.

The government has also decided to provide financial relief to farmers, including a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on diesel.

Additionally, registered motorcycle owners will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on up to 20 litres of petrol.

The chief minister said that the relief package is part of efforts to implement Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s national savings and austerity program in Punjab.

She added that despite the challenging economic situation, providing relief to the public remains the government’s top priority. “We will not leave the people alone in difficult times,” she said, expressing hope that economic conditions will improve soon.

Maryam Nawaz also urged citizens to use public transport due to the extraordinary circumstances. She noted that the global economic crisis, worsened by war, has affected many countries, and Pakistan has been particularly impacted due to its reliance on imported oil.

Meanwhile, Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, on Friday strongly condemned the massive increase in petroleum prices, terming it a “petrol bomb” dropped on the public by the government.

He also announced the launch of a nationwide protest movement against the hike, urging citizens—especially the youth—to come out and raise their voices for change.