Sindh Orders Public Transport Fare Cuts After Diesel Price Drop
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: The Sindh government has ordered public transport operators to reduce passenger fares following a decline in diesel prices, warning that legal action could be taken against operators who continue charging excessive rates.
Sindh Senior Minister and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon took notice of complaints that some public transport operators were continuing to charge higher fares despite lower diesel costs.
Memon directed the provincial transport secretary and other relevant authorities to ensure that the reduction in fuel costs is reflected in fares charged to passengers.
“The reduction in diesel prices must also be reflected in public transport fares,” the minister said in a statement, calling for strict implementation of the government’s directive.
He instructed officials to take immediate action against transport operators found overcharging passengers and said arbitrary fare increases would not be tolerated.
The provincial government has also ordered transport authorities to strengthen monitoring on different routes to determine whether operators are complying with the fare reduction directive.
Officials were instructed to respond promptly to complaints from passengers and initiate action where overcharging is established.
Memon said providing relief to the public was a responsibility of the government and transport operators could not be allowed to charge fares at their discretion after a decline in one of their major operating costs.
The directive comes after the federal government reduced the price of high-speed diesel by Rs12.17 per litre, bringing it down from Rs284.35 to Rs272.18 per litre for the fortnight beginning August 16. Petrol, however, remained unchanged at Rs264.61 per litre.
The diesel reduction is particularly relevant to intercity buses, coaches and other commercial passenger vehicles that depend heavily on high-speed diesel.
The Sindh government’s latest intervention is aimed at ensuring that lower fuel costs translate into direct relief for commuters rather than being retained entirely by transport operators.
Memon warned that operators continuing to collect excessive fares despite the diesel price reduction could face legal proceedings.
The effectiveness of the measure will now depend on enforcement by transport authorities and whether revised fares are implemented consistently across routes.
