May 10, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1429

SWABI, May 9: Transporters have started charging increased fares for the third time in a month, resulting in exchange of words and, at times, scuffles between passengers and conductors in buses plying on different routes here, local people said on Friday.

Bus conductors demanded increased fares from passengers, citing the rise in prices of petroleum products, but the commuters insisted on displaying the approved fare list.

Transporters had observed a token wheel-jam strike a week ago, demanding increase in fares proportional to the rise in fuel prices, but later they increased the fares on their own, without the approval of the transport authorities.

Commuters said flying coach owners and other transporters had already increased fares twice.

In the first week of April, the fare between Topi and Swabi was Rs10 but now a commuter pays Rs15. Flying coach conductors collect fares even before leaving bus terminals to avoid haggling over fare with passengers.

“I go to the Bamkhel Commerce College stop daily but flying coach drivers force me to pay Rs15, while on the way back they charge only Rs8 for the same distance,” said Faiz Ahmad.

HAJ DIRECTORATE: The local chapter of the Pakistan Haj Training Council has called upon the federal government to establish a provincial Haj directorate to minimise problems being faced by the people of the Frontier province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

The council held a meeting here on Friday under its district president Saeedullah Khan.The council also demanded that the Saudi Arab government should open a consulate in the province to facilitate visa processing.

The participants hoped that the new federal minister for religious affairs would take meaningful steps for establishment of the directorate and the PPP-ANP coalition government in the NWFP would also play its role in this regard. They said pilgrims had faced numerous difficulties during the 2007 Haj and before formulating the new Haj policy the government should hear them and in the light of their complaints and recommendations a comprehensive policy should be adopted, enabling the people to perform Haj without any difficulties.

They also urged the government not to increase Haj fee, saying it would deprive a number of people from performing Haj.