KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister for Transport and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has taken strict notice of the unauthorized increase in public transport fares across the province, directing authorities to launch an immediate crackdown against violators.
During a high-level meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department, the Minister emphasized that transporters cannot unilaterally hike fares under the guise of rising petroleum prices. He termed such arbitrary increases an “unbearable burden” on the general public.
Sharjeel Memon ordered the Transport Secretary to initiate an immediate field-based checking campaign to penalize transporters charging more than the government-approved rates. He clarified that the power to revise fares rests solely with the government and the Transport Department, asserting that no private operator is authorized to implement self-imposed price hikes.
The Transport Secretary has also been tasked with reassessing the current fare structure to determine reasonable and balanced new rates that align with economic conditions. Furthermore, the Minister directed the establishment of an effective mechanism for addressing public complaints regarding overcharging.
“The Sindh government is committed to providing relief to the citizens,” Sharjeel Memon stated. “We will not allow anyone to exploit the public through illegal profiteering.”
