QUETTA: Former federal and provincial minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind on Sunday strongly criticised the exorbitant airfares charged on flights between Quetta-Islamabad, calling prices ranging from 80,000 to 150,000 rupees for a one-way ticket as a grave injustice to the people of Balochistan.

Speaking to the media, Mr Rind said charging such high fares amounts to oppression of the province’s proud yet economically struggling population.

He urged the federal government and relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the issue, particularly at a time when deteriorating security conditions have made road travel difficult for many families.

“No common person can afford to purchase air tickets at such inflated prices,” Mr Rind said. Due to the prevailing crisis in Balochistan, travelling by road has become increasingly challenging, placing expensive flights beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind calls Rs80,000-150,000 one-way ticket unjust for Balochistan residents

Mr Rind expressed concern that the federation is not taking adequate measures to address the hardships people face, which is creating anxiety and frustration among residents.

Frequent road closures and a deteriorating law-and-order situation have discouraged people from travelling by land, he pointed out. Restrictions on the movement of passenger and cargo vehicles during night hours have also added to public hardships.

He noted that worsening economic conditions, rising inflation and increases in petroleum prices have further compounded difficulties, even for middle-income families striving to maintain a respectable standard of living.

Despite being Pakistan’s largest province by area and rich in natural resources, Balochistan’s people continue to be deprived of basic facilities, Mr Rind lamented.

He called for an end to what he described as discriminatory treatment, noting that airfares from Islamabad to cities such as Karachi and Lahore are significantly lower than those to Quetta. Mr Rind accused airlines operating flights to and from Balochistan of repeatedly increasing fares, thereby worsening the difficulties faced by travellers. He also criticised elected representatives in the Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assembly for failing to raise their voices against what he termed an unjust burden on the people.

He warned that if the federal government and relevant authorities fail to address the issue, he and his supporters will raise the matter on every available platform.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026