Pakistan Railways has decided not to pass on the benefit to reduction in prices of diesel to masses. Despite massive decrease of Rs35 per litre of diesel, fares of PRs have not been reduced. The government itself has become hurdle in provision of relief to masses. Minister for Pakistan Railways Saad Rafique increased the railway fares with increase in prices of petroleum products but seems to be reluctant in reducing the fare with decrease in prices. Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on May 16 announced a massive increase in prices of petroleum products. The prices of diesel were reduced by Rs30 per litre on the day and revised again from June 01, by cut of Rs5 per litre.

However, decrease in prices of diesel is of no use for railway passenger as fare remain same and have not been revised, neither Pakistan Railways was agreed to do so. Earlier, in February this year, fares of all passenger trains except Green Line were increased by 8 percent in the wake of increase in prices of petroleum products. Finance Minister while announcing the decrease in prices of petroleum products had also appealed for passing on the relief to masses. But Pakistan Railways neither benefited masses, nor has any plan under consideration in this regard.(M Awais)

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP