Pakistan Railways (PR) is likely to increase the fares of passenger trains by 15 percent in view of increase in petroleum products and to overcome its internal financial crisis, it is learnt reliably. Informed sources in the Railway Ministry revealed that a summary has been sent to the Prime Minister for approval to increase the fares of passenger trains by 15 percent. Two weeks ago, PR increased fares of goods trains by 30 percent.
The government doubled PR debt limit from rupees one billion to rupees two billion by issuing guaranty to Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for buying diesel, however delays in train services due to shortage of diesel and engines continued to create problems for the passengers.
Meanwhile public transport associations in a meeting, held on Thursday, urged the government to revise the fares of public transport upward. Rawalpindi Transport Association's President Malik Sultan told Business Recorder that all the unions unanimously urged the government to increase fares. "Punjab government has been informed of these demands. All the participants agreed to launch a countrywide protest demonstration if their demands were not met," he added.
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