Public transport fares surge after petrol price hike: New Inter City Ticket Rates

2026-03-07 - 07:33

LAHORE – Public transport and goods transport operators across Pakistan have increased fares following the recent shocking rise in petroleum prices. A day earlier, the federal government Pakistani government announced massive increase in fuel prices, raising both petrol and diesel rates by a whopping Rs55 per litre. The new prices are effective immediately, leaving citizens and businesses scrambling to adjust to the sudden economic impact. Under revised structure, petrol prices have jumped from Rs266.17 to Rs322 while diesel price now stands at Rs355 per litre. New Inter City Fares Long-distance travel fares have gone up by Rs300 to Rs600 per trip. For example, fares from Lahore to Islamabad rose from Rs2,600 to Rs3,000, Lahore to Peshawar from Rs2,890 to Rs3,500, and Lahore to Karachi from Rs8,000 to Rs8,600. Shorter routes, including Lahore to Faisalabad and Lahore to Sargodha, also saw significant increases. Meanwhile, Malik Shehzad Awan, President of Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, announced a 20 percent rise in freight charges across the country. He said diesel prices have increased by Rs78 per liter and petrol by Rs68 per liter over the past two months, substantially raising operational costs for transporters. Awan urged the federal government to provide relief to transporters by reducing tolls and other taxes, stating that while transporters continue to support import, export, and business activities, continuous fuel price hikes are driving inflation and affecting all Pakistanis.