PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker government said here on Tuesday that it was working to reduce transport fares by 12 to 13 per cent following the recent decrease in the prices of petroleum products.

Addressing a press conference, the caretaker minister for information and public relations, Barrister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel, expressed commitment to the principle of good governance with primary focus on the welfare of people. He said following a significant decline in the prices of petroleum products, the provincial government was taking measures to pass on its benefits to people.

“As part of these efforts, transport fares are set to undergo a substantial reduction of 12 to 13 per cent. This initiative, taken in Peshawar, being extended to all other districts with directives issued to deputy commissioners and formation of inspection committees to ensure effective its implementation. It is expected that a noticeable reduction in transport fares and other items will become apparent within a short time,” said Mr Kakakhel.

He said that chief minister was actively leading all efforts in that regard, with instructions relayed to administrative officers by the chief secretary. He said that good leadership and transparent governance played a pivotal role in ensuring that the benefits of such measures reached people.

Minister says benefit of drop in oil prices to be passed on to people

The minister also highlighted the positive effects of increase in the value of Pakistani rupee and its potential contribution to debt repayment.

He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government maintained a stringent policy of zero tolerance against smuggling and other criminal activities, which yielded positive results and continued to be closely monitored.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuation of such measures.

To a query, he said that central government provided an opportunity to undocumented individuals residing in the country to return to their homeland with dignity and ease. He said that it was essential for people living in a foreign land to possess legal documents. After October 31, appropriate legal action would be taken against foreigners without proper documentation, irrespective of their country of origin.

Mr Kakakhel said that the objective was not to single out any particular nation but to encourage undocumented immigrants to return to their home countries and subsequently come back to Pakistan through legal channels. “The government’s stance on the matter remains open and welcoming to those, who adhere to legal procedures,” he added.

To another question, the minister said that provincial government had directed the deputy commissioners to talk to transporter associations in their respective districts and implement the fare reduction as soon as possible. Besides, he said, inspection teams were formed to monitor implementation of the price reduction.

In addition to this, Regional Transport Authority Peshawar has notified reduction in intra-district transport fares with effect from Tuesday while other districts will follow suit in a day or two.

The minister said that provincial government had zero tolerance regarding law and order situation. He said that capital city police also arrested the accused involved in the murder of a student of Edwardes Colleges Peshawar, who was killed few days ago.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2023