December 02, 2008	Tuesday	Zilhaj 3, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 1: Following big cuts in petrol and diesel prices twice last month by the federal government, the Sindh government has announced a Re1 reduction in the public transport fares for all distances forthwith.

The decision was announced by Sindh Minister for Transport Akhtar Hussain Jadoon after a meeting with relevant officials and other stakeholders in his office on Monday.

The minimum bus, minibus and coach fares have been prescribed as Rs9, 10 and 15 respectively.

The minister said that the Rs2 increase for all distances as prescribed earlier had been reduced to Re1, adding that the fares would be reduced further if petrol and diesel prices were cut in future.

The meeting was attended by Transport Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah, Provincial Transport Authority Secretary Mohammed Ashraf Jumani, Karachi Transport Ittehad President Syed Irshad Hussain Shah Bukhari, UTS Bus Owners Association President Rana Munir Ahmed Khan and Supreme Council of Pakistan Association Chief Coordinator Haji Mohammed Iqbal.

The representatives of the transporters’ association agreed to implement the ministry’s decision immediately.—APP