Sindh secures province-wide fare freeze after talks with transporters

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said on Sunday that the provincial government had reached an agreement with transporters to keep fares unchanged across the province after negotiations held in the wake of higher petroleum prices.

Speaking at a high-level press conference at the Chief Minister House, Murad said operators on both inter-city and intra-city routes had agreed not to raise fares and would continue charging rates that were in place on Feb 28, 2026. He was joined by provincial ministers, representatives of transporters and senior government officials, while divisional commissioners and regional transport authorities participated through video link.

According to a statement issued by the CM House, the government had prepared a broader plan aimed at shielding citizens, especially low-income commuters, from increased transport costs linked to the global rise in fuel prices.

“I am thankful to the transporters for supporting the government’s relief efforts in the national interest,” CM Murad said.

He said that despite rising operating expenses, transporters had acted responsibly by agreeing to extend relief to the public. Representatives of the transport sector, including Karachi Transport Ittehad leader Haji Tawab and inter-city operator Shabar Malik, also reiterated their support and said the decision to maintain fares had been taken collectively to help people during difficult economic conditions.

Murad said the Sindh government would compensate transporters for higher fuel costs through financial support linked to route permits. He said the subsidy arrangement would include federal backing along with additional provincial assistance so that transport services could continue without transferring the burden to passengers.

“The government will bear the subsidy cost so that fares remain stable across the province,” the chief minister was quoted as saying by CM House.

The chief minister said more than 11,000 buses operate in Sindh and estimated that keeping fares unchanged through subsidies would cost the provincial government between Rs3 billion and Rs4bn. The CM House statement said the package would also cover goods transport vehicles, school vans and public transport operators.

Murad said the government had initially examined the option of making public buses free, similar to steps announced in Punjab and Islamabad, but decided instead on a wider fare freeze that would benefit a larger section of the population. He added that the move formed part of a coordinated national response under which provinces had agreed to share the burden of fuel subsidies for a limited period.

According to the chief minister, Sindh’s contribution to the overall subsidy framework would be about Rs14bn, while its own targeted measures for transporters, farmers and consumers could cost another Rs3bn to Rs4bn.

“It is a major achievement that despite challenging circumstances, fuel supply remains stable,” Murad highlighted.

He also said the government was working on additional targeted subsidies to help people buy essential food items at affordable prices.

“Our priority is to provide maximum relief to the people while maintaining economic stability and essential services,” he said.

On Friday, the Sindh government had announced a monthly fuel subsidy of Rs2,000 for motorcyclists, along with support for small-scale farmers and transporters. Other provinces have also announced relief measures. Punjab said it was making public transport free and introducing a targeted monthly subsidy for transporters, a diesel subsidy for wheat growers and support for motorcyclists. In Balochistan, measures include free Green and Pink bus services in Quetta and other areas for one month.

Relief measures after fuel price increase

The latest announcement comes after petroleum prices rose amid what the chief minister described as an ongoing global oil crisis. Sindh and Punjab have both announced support measures for motorcyclists, transporters and small farmers, while other provinces have introduced separate public transport relief initiatives.