PM gives a go-ahead to hike fares of Lahore’s Metro Bus

LAHORE (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan gave approval to increase the fares of Lahore’s Metro Bus Service, sources reported on Sunday. According to the sources, Punjab Minister for Finance Hashim Jawan Bakht briefed the prime minister regarding the subsidy given to the Metro Bus during the cabinet meeting. In this regard, PM Khan approves to removes subsidy on the bus service. During the meeting, the prime minister said the government is providing a subsidy of 12 billion rupees on Metro Bus which could had been allocated for health and education. “The nation is bearing the losses due to the defected policies of previous government,” he added Imran Khan further said that all out facilities should be provided to the investors through one-window operation. The prime minister said large subsidies are creating a burden on the economy. The removal of the subsidy will now be reflected in bus fares. It was also reported that the Punjab Mass Transit Authority has suggested the cabinet to increase metro bus fare. Punjab Minister for Transport Jahanzeb Khan Khichi stated that it has been suggested to hike the prices from July in next fiscal year. It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had earlier rejected the proposal of increasing metro bus fare, and the suggestion has been made by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority for the second time. The passengers are not happy with the hike in prices of fare as the government shouldn’t make the people shoulder this burden as inflation is already high. The government is looking for ways to earn more revenue. As part of its agreement with the IMF, it is already planning to increase gas and electricity prices and levy Rs600 billion in taxes.