- Punjab CM orders reduction in transport fares commensurate with cut in diesel price
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), district administration, police, and rescue services to remain on high alert and take preemptive measures amid forecasts of torrential rains and potential flash floods across the province.
The Punjab chief minister also directed deputy commissioners and other officials to stay in the field to ensure compliance with PDMA guidelines.
She passed directives for special emphasis on preparing for possible cloudbursts in Upper Punjab and flash floods in the Koh-e-Sulaiman and River Ravi regions.
District administrations of Murree, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Koh-e-Sulaiman have been directed to implement special precautionary measures.
It was decided to restrict tourist travel to Murree and adjoining areas due to concerns over cloudbursts, landslides, and heavy rainfall to mitigate risks. The movement of tourists will be limited to ensure safety. Additionally, boats, life jackets, and other essential equipment have been provided for populations near waterways.
CM Maryam also ordered a ban on bathing in rivers, canals, and streams due to the risk of flooding. To enforce safety measures, police patrolling has been mandated along riverbanks and waterways.
The chief minister urged parents to prevent children from going near rivers and streams to avoid accidents.
The Met Office has issued a monsoon weather alert for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Punjab about heavy rainfall, cloudbursts and flooding in rivers.
The Met Office has cautioned against a monsoon system active in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Punjab could bring heavy rainfall in Mardan, Shangla, Buner, Swat, Mansehra, Peshawar and other areas.
Following the weather forecast, the Punjab PDMA has issued an alert about flooding in rivers from August 17 to 23.
Widespread heavy very rainfall is expected in the province from today, with likely cloudbursts in upper Punjab, the PDMA has cautioned in an advisory.
CM orders reduction in transport fares after diesel price cut
Meanwhile, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to immediately reduce transport fares commensurate with the recent reduction in diesel prices, calling it the fundamental right of the public.
The federal government on Friday slashed the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs12.84 per litre, bringing it down to Rs272.99. Since most of the transport sector relies on HSD—widely used in heavy vehicles, trains, and agricultural machinery such as tractors, tube wells, and threshers—the reduction is expected to ease inflationary pressure.
“The reduction in transport fares is the right of citizens, and their exploitation will not be tolerated,” the chief minister said while issuing directives. She further instructed that revised fare lists be prominently displayed at transport terminals for public awareness.
CM Maryam also ordered district administrations and the provincial transport department to ensure strict compliance with the notified fares, warning that action would be taken against transporters who fail to implement the reductions.
