MIRPUR (Kashmir English): Mirpur has launched a free inter-city public transport service on the instructions of Shehbaz Sharif, aiming to provide affordable and convenient travel facilities to citizens.
The service was formally inaugurated by Raja Tahir Mumtaz Khan during a ceremony attended by officials and local representatives.
In the first phase, citizens will be able to travel free of cost from Mirpur to New City, Khaliqabad, Jatlan, and Bin Khurman. Additional free transport routes from Mirpur to Chichiyan, Afzalpur, Chattarpadi, and Mangla have also been introduced.
Officials said the initiative was launched with the full cooperation of the Mirpur Transport Union and Transport Federation.
Residents welcomed the move and expressed gratitude to Shehbaz Sharif and Faisal Mumtaz Rathore for introducing the facility.
Authorities said the free transport service would help reduce travel costs and make commuting easier for the public.
Transport Fares Increased
The Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance on Saturday announced a 10 percent increase in freight fares following a rise in the prices of petroleum products.
Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan stated that transporters across the country condemned the continuous increase in fuel prices, which is driving inflation and contributing to widespread unemployment due to government policies.
In a related move, public transport operators announced a 5 percent increase in fares, which has taken effect immediately.
Both decisions come as the sector grapples with rising operational costs caused by the surge in petroleum prices.
In Lahore, the RTA secretary held talks with transporters at Transport House, where a limited fare increase of 3% to 4% was approved.
Public transport fares from Lahore to different cities have been increased by Rs60 to Rs460. The fare from Lahore to Rawalpindi has been fixed at Rs2,340 after an increase of Rs110.
The fare from Lahore to Peshawar has been fixed at Rs3,100 after an increase of Rs150. Fares for Faisalabad and Sargodha have been fixed at Rs1,260 after an increase of Rs60.
The Lahore-to-Karachi fare has been fixed at Rs9,720 after an increase of Rs460.
