Authorities in Punjab and Islamabad have announced free public transport for a month, while Sindh has introduced a cash subsidy for motorcyclists, as governments move to ease the impact of a sharp rise in fuel prices.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said public transport in all cities of the province will be free under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s national savings and austerity programme.

The federal government has extended the same relief to Islamabad, where free transport will also be available for 30 days starting Saturday.

The decision follows a steep increase in fuel prices, with petrol rising by 42.7 per cent and diesel by 54.9 per cent, triggering protests and long queues at fuel stations.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government would bear an estimated cost of Rs350 million for providing free transport in the federal capital.

“All public transport in Islamabad will be made free of cost for the general public for the next 30 days, starting tomorrow (Saturday),” interior minister Mohsin Naqvi wrote on X.

In Punjab, the relief package covers Orange Line trains, Metro Bus, Speedo buses and electric green buses, benefiting millions of daily commuters. The provincial government has also introduced targeted subsidies for transport operators, urging them not to pass on additional costs to passengers.

In a statement posted on X, Maryam Nawaz said pressure on fuel prices was inevitable due to rising international oil prices and ongoing global crises and conflict.

To offset the impact, she announced monthly targeted subsidies, including Rs70,000 for registered goods transport vehicles, Rs80,000 for large vehicles and Rs100,000 for public service buses.

She called on transporters across Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, to support the public and avoid passing on increased costs to consumers.

She added that the provincial government would closely monitor the situation to ensure relief measures reach the intended beneficiaries, urging responsibility and solidarity.

The Punjab government has also announced a Rs100 per litre diesel subsidy per acre for farmers to reduce agricultural costs. In addition, motorcycle owners will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on up to 20 litres of petrol per month.

Rs2,000 monthly cash subsidy in Sindh

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a monthly cash subsidy of Rs2,000 for registered motorcycle owners across the province.

Speaking in Karachi, he said the subsidy would be disbursed digitally after verification within 15 days through an excise department application. He added that Sindh has around 6.7 million registered motorcycles, and ownership transfers have been made free to expand eligibility.

Murad clarified that the subsidy would be paid directly in cash between April 15 and 20, rather than through discounted fuel at petrol pumps.

Officials linked the relief measures to rising global oil prices and regional instability following the ongoing conflict involving Iran, which has disrupted energy supplies and increased import costs for Pakistan.

The federal government has also introduced austerity measures to curb fuel consumption, including a four-day work week for some offices, extended school holidays and partial transition to online classes.

Authorities say the steps are aimed at easing pressure on consumers while managing the country’s energy and fiscal challenges.