• Announces free transport, Rs15,000 subsidy for small farmers
• Says govt considering subsidy for bikes, cars up to 800cc

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Saturday announced a set of austerity and public relief measures, including free public transport services and subsidies for farmers, amid rising fuel prices and regional uncertainty.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Mr Bugti said the provincial government had introduced a comprehensive relief package to cushion the impact of increasing petroleum prices and evolving regional dynamics.

He announced that the Green and Pink bus services in Quetta and other areas would remain free for one month to facilitate commuters. In addition, transfer and registration fees for vehicles and motorcycles have been waived for 15 days, and citizens have been urged to complete ownership transfers within the stipulated period to benefit from government subsidies.

The chief minister said there were around 80,000 registered public and goods transport vehicles in the province. Subsidies were being extended to goods transporters, while support for public transport was being coordinated with the federal government.

Referring to the agriculture sector, Mr Bugti said small farmers owning up to 12.5 acres would receive Rs15,000 through the Kissan Card to cover threshing expenses and subsidised diesel during the wheat cultivation season.

He added that the government was also considering extending subsidies to motorcycles and vehicles up to 800cc in the next phase.

Mr Bugti warned that the government would not allow any unjustified increase in the prices of essential commodities and said strict monitoring of oil and other markets was under way. He added that action would be taken against hoarding and profiteering.

Clarifying the role of law enforcement agencies, the chief minister said the Balochistan police would not be allowed to stop non-custom-paid goods at checkpoints, as this fell under the jurisdiction of customs authorities. Police, he said, would focus strictly on maintaining law and order, and violations would invite strict action.

He said proposals were under consideration to close markets at 8pm and marriage halls and restaurants at 10pm as part of energy conservation measures, adding that a final decision would be taken after consultations with traders.

He warned of a possible energy crisis due to the ongoing oil situation and urged the public to use holidays for conservation rather than leisure activities. He also clarified that no lockdown was being imposed in the province.

Highlighting austerity steps, Mr Bugti said only 50 per cent of staff was currently working at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, unnecessary expenditures had been curtailed, and surplus vehicles at the Chief Minister’s House were being auctioned and gradually replaced with electric vehicles.

He said the provincial government had saved over Rs1.4 billion in a single month, while total savings during the previous financial year stood at Rs14bn. Under the national austerity drive, Balochistan would contribute Rs7bn to the federal government over three months, of which more than Rs2bn had already been released.

Mr Bugti also announced that the provincial cabinet had decided to forgo two months’ salaries and would continue to do so if required in the national interest.

Provincial ministers Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Ziaullah Langau, Bakht Muhammad Kakar and the chief minister’s adviser on media and political affairs Shahid Rind were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2026