ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Islamabad administration has made public transport free for the general public for a month in the federal capital, a day after the rise in prices of petroleum products.
Taking on X, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that the general public will be able to travel free of cost on public transport from tomorrow.
“On the directions of the Prime Minister, all public transport in Islamabad will be made free of cost for the general public for the next 30 days, starting tomorrow,” Naqvi wrote on X.
He further said that the Ministry of Interior will bear the expenditure of Rs350 million for this public relief initiative.
On the directions of the Prime Minister, all public transport in Islamabad will be made free of cost for the general public for the next 30 days, starting tomorrow.
The Ministry of Interior will bear the expenditure of Rs. 350 million for this public relief initiative. Thank you…
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) April 3, 2026
Similarly, the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also announced free public transport and targeted subsidies for farmers, motorcycle owners, and transporters across the province.
“To ease the burden on citizens, public transport is now free across all cities in Punjab. No tickets required for Orange Line Train, Metro Bus, Speedo Bus, and Green Electric Buses, making travel easier and more affordable for everyone,” she said.
Moreover, she has announced a Rs100 per liter subsidy on diesel per acre to protect farmers and the agriculture sector.
“Every registered motorcycle owner will receive a Rs100 subsidy for up to 20 liters,” Maryam added.
The government has also decided to provide subsidies to motorcyclists, under which every registered bike owner will receive a Rs 100 subsidy on 20 liters of fuel.
Petrol price hike
On Thursday, the federal government announced a massive increase in the rates of petroleum products, bringing the petrol price to Rs458.40 per litre, the highest-ever in history.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik made this announcement during a press conference alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The Petroleum Minister said that the government has hiked petroleum products prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict and rising global energy costs.
Addressing a press conference, Malik said the price of petrol was being hiked to Rs458.40 per litre and that of high-speed diesel to Rs520.35 per litre.
“The new petrol price has been fixed at Rs458.40 per litre, marking a rise of Rs137.23 per litre. Diesel will now cost Rs520.35 per litre, up by Rs184.49 per litre,” the minister said.
