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Punjab Launches Free-Bus Pilots as Sindh Approves Transport Subsidy and Farmer Aid

Digital payouts with built-in checks seek to hold fares steady under the fuel shock.

Overview

  • Sindh’s government, which met Wednesday, approved a targeted public transport subsidy of about Rs2.15 billion per month covering more than 10,800 vehicles on 224 routes and ordered an immediate start.
  • Punjab is rolling out free-bus pilots in Gujranwala, Multan and Sialkot and plans up to 1,000 privately run buses paid per kilometre with weekly reimbursements, with no fares charged to riders.
  • Murad Ali Shah also cleared Rs3 billion in relief for roughly 366,000 small growers who own 1–25 acres to offset higher diesel costs during wheat harvesting.
  • Both provinces will route payments through app-based systems that verify route permits, vehicle fitness and bank details, use one-time codes and fuel benchmarks, and require operators to keep fares unchanged.
  • Lahore authorities tightened energy-saving rules by shutting more than 60 businesses for late hours, while federal measures include tiered direct payments to vehicle owners via digital wallets and a Rs129 billion relief package.