Despite the current situation in the Gulf region, the Pakistan Railways has decided not to increase the fares of all operational trains across the country.
This was conveyed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, during a detailed discussion on the overall performance of Pakistan Railways, ongoing reforms, and future projects.
During the meeting, the minister briefed the premier on the operational matters of Pakistan Railways, according to an official statement on Monday.
The PM said that under the current economic conditions, the government was avoiding placing any additional burden on the public and emphasised focusing on increasing revenue by improving the railway system.
PM Shehbaz directed that reform measures be accelerated to transform Pakistan Railways into a modern, safe, and reliable transportation system.
The PM also reaffirmed that the government was committed to the agenda of public welfare and that improving the performance of all institutions would put the country on the path of development.
PM Shehbaz also instructed the railways minister to ensure the timely completion of ongoing railway projects and to utilise all available resources to provide better, safer, and affordable travel facilities to the public.
It is pertinent to mention that the governments of Punjab and Sindh had announced relief packages of massive fuel subsidies and free public transport initiatives.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif unveiled historic measures, including a total waiver of fares for all major urban transit systems, such as the Orange Line and Metro Bus, alongside a substantial Rs100 per litre diesel subsidy for the agricultural sector.
Similarly, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also mapped out a dedicated provincial programme, confirming a direct monthly cash subsidy of Rs2,000 for millions of registered motorcyclists across Sindh to offset rising petroleum costs.