KARACHI, June 2: Muttahida Qaumi Movement Coordination Committee has castigated the increase in fares by Pakistan Railways from 5 to 12.5 per cent from June 1.

Demanding reversal of the decision, in its statement the committee said that it was surprising that on the one side the railways department increased fares up to 12.5 per cent while on the other, fares of the Lahore express have been reduced by 30 per cent.

It said this double-standard of the railways indicated that like other institutions, the establishment had its monopoly over this department, too, and except for Punjab, the establishment had been passing on the additional burden to passengers travelling to other parts on the country.