Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced on Friday that public transport in all cities of the province will now be free under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s National Savings and Austerity Program, Islamabad has also announced free public transport services under the same initiative, expanding relief efforts to the federal capital.

Citizens using the Orange Line train, Metro Bus, Speedo Bus, and Green Electro Bus will no longer have to pay fares, benefiting millions of daily commuters.

Maryam Nawaz also introduced additional relief measures, including a diesel subsidy of Rs 100 per acre per litre for farmers and a Rs 100 per litre subsidy on 20 litres of petrol for registered motorcycle owners, aimed at supporting middle and low-income citizens.

She praised the federal government for maintaining fuel supply and prices despite the global crisis, calling it a major relief effort for the people.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a cash subsidy of Rs 2,000 per month for each registered motorcycle owner, along with free transfer of motorcycle ownership to ensure more citizens benefit.

The province has 6.7 million registered motorcycles, and payments will be processed within 15 days after verification.

He clarified that the subsidy will be given directly in cash, not at petrol pumps, and urged owners to update motorcycle ownership within the set timeframe.

He also highlighted that the ongoing war in Iran is affecting Pakistan’s economy, but said the provincial and federal governments are coordinating closely to ease the impact.

He noted that oil prices will not be increased for three weeks, and the Sindh government fully supports federal decisions to manage the crisis.