The Punjab government has approved plans to expand its free public transport programme to 17 districts, aiming to provide relief to commuters amid rising fuel prices.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where officials reviewed the impact of increasing oil prices on transport fares.
Under the plan, pilot projects will be launched in Gujranwala, Multan, and Sialkot. The programme will involve the introduction of around 1,000 buses through private operators.
Officials said these operators will be compensated on a per-kilometre basis under a performance-based model. Each bus will be required to operate between 100 and 200 kilometres daily, while the government will cover payments weekly. Passengers, however, will be able to travel free of charge.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce the financial burden on low- and middle-income households, particularly those affected by rising transportation costs.
In parallel, the government is also intensifying its energy conservation efforts. In Lahore, authorities have sealed more than 60 businesses for violating prescribed operating hours.
Under current regulations, markets must close by 8pm, while restaurants and wedding halls are required to shut by 10pm. Officials emphasised that strict enforcement would continue to manage electricity consumption during the ongoing energy crisis.
The combined approach reflects the government’s effort to balance economic relief with energy-saving measures, ensuring both affordability and sustainability across the province.
