PESHAWAR, March 1: The Provincial Transport Authority (PTA) will issue a revised fare list to the transporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within next couple of days so as to discourage overcharging of passengers, an official told on Tuesday. It is almost certain that the fares would be revised upward. But the transporters wanted the government to take back its decision of hike in the petroleum prices as it would directly hit the common man. An official pleading anonymity said that the decision concerning raise in the fares would be taken with the approval of commissioner, Peshawar.

“I cannot say about the percentage of fare increase, but it is sure that the fare will be revised upward, otherwise the transporters themselves will start overcharging the passengers,” he said.

The official said that the PTA had already issued a slab-based formula to the transporters for increase in the fare in accordance with the increase in price of petroleum products.

On the other hand, transporters have announced to hold a protest demonstration today (Wednesday) at 11am on G.T. Road near Haji Camp against the hike in price of petroleum products. The decision was taken in a meeting at General Bus Stand, Haji Camp. Sarhad Transport Owners Federation leader Haji Ihsanullah chaired the meeting.

The participants said that they had the option to revise the fare, but it was not a solution.

They asked the government to reconsider its decision of hiking POL prices otherwise people would be left with no option, but to come out on the streets.

“The PTA officials have assured the transporters that revised fare list will be issued within a couple of days, but we want the government to reverse its decision of hiking petroleum prices,” Mr Ihsan said.

He said that people using public transport belonged to low income group who could not afford the increasing fares and prices of the daily-use items. He asked the government to restore the oil prices to the old level and provide a relief to people.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has also announced its support to the transporters' protest and asked people to join it.

JI provincial amir Senator Mohammad Ibrahim in a statement said that the rates of petroleum products had been increased under the IMF and World Bank's pressure and it was the duty of all patriotic people to raise voice against the decision.