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Pakistan has announced temporary relief measures to ease the burden of rising fuel costs, making public transport free in parts of the country amid the energy crisis.
Authorities said state-run transport services in Islamabad and the populous Punjab province will be free for one month, following a sharp increase in fuel prices triggered by global market pressures linked to the Iran conflict.
Officials confirmed petrol prices rose by over 40 per cent, while diesel prices rose by nearly 55 per cent, sparking protests and long queues at fuel stations.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a social media post that public transport in the capital would be free for 30 days starting Saturday, with the government expected to manage the cost.
“All public transport in Islamabad will be made free of cost for the general public for the next 30 days, starting tomorrow (Saturday).
“The government will bear a burden of 350 million rupees (around $1.25 million)”, he added.
Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, announced a similar move in the province, alongside targeted subsidies for transport operators, urging them not to transfer the increased costs to commuters.
In Sindh, including the commercial hub Karachi, authorities introduced support measures for motorcyclists and small-scale farmers.
The surge in fuel prices comes as disruptions to global energy supplies caused by ongoing hostilities involving Iran heighten, affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil transport.
To manage the crisis, the government has also introduced austerity measures, including reducing the work week for some public offices, extending school holidays, and shifting some classes online to conserve fuel.
The price hikes have triggered protests, with demonstrators expressing frustration over the economic strain. Some blamed the government for imposing what they described as sudden and severe increases, while others pointed to pressure from international financial institutions.
Pakistan, classified as a lower-middle-income country, continues to grapple with inflation and economic challenges, with a significant portion of its population already living below the poverty line.
