Railway tracks are seen vacant at Cantt Station in Karachi due to late arrival of the trains.—Online

LAHORE: The finance ministry has allowed the railways to increase passenger fares by 10 to 25 per cent and freight charges by 30 per cent.

“The fares will be increased in about 10 days,” officials said here on Thursday.

The fares of all classes in passenger trains will rise by 10 per cent, for inter-city trains by 15 per cent, express trains 20 per cent and non-stop trains 25 per cent.

The passenger fares were raised by eight to 15 per cent and freight charges by five per cent in July.

The fares were earlier increased in 2008 and 2004.

On Dec 15, 2005, a fuel adjustment surcharge of up to Rs30 per ticket was added to the fare. About two weeks later, the ceiling was raised to Rs35. In May 2006, the charge was increased by Rs10 to Rs30. The surcharge on economy class tickets for a journey exceeding 1,250km was reduced on June 11, 2006.

Opinion

The risk of escalation

The risk of escalation

The silence of the US and some other Western countries over the raid on the Iranian consulate has only provided impunity to the Zionist state.

Editorial

Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...
Tough talks
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Tough talks

The key to unlocking fresh IMF funds lies in convincing the lender that Pakistan is now ready to undertake real reforms.
Caught unawares
Updated 16 Apr, 2024

Caught unawares

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
Going off track
16 Apr, 2024

Going off track

LIKE many other state-owned enterprises in the country, Pakistan Railways is unable to deliver, while haemorrhaging...