Free rides for a month: Govt rolls out Rs 350m relief boost in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday announced that all public transport in the federal capital would be free of cost for the next 30 days, following directives from Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The minister shared the development on the social media platform X, stating that the initiative would come into effect from tomorrow and would apply to the general public across Islamabad.

The move is aimed at providing immediate and broad-based relief amid rising transport expenses for daily commuters.

On the directions of the Prime Minister, all public transport in Islamabad will be made free of cost for the general public for the next 30 days, starting tomorrow.

The Ministry of Interior will bear the expenditure of Rs. 350 million for this public relief initiative. Thank you…

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) April 3, 2026

According to the Interior Ministry, the government will bear Rs 350 million in expenses to implement the month-long free-transport scheme. Officials said the measure reflects the administration’s commitment to easing the financial burden on citizens while improving accessibility to public mobility services.

The government expects the initiative to benefit thousands of commuters each day, particularly students, workers, and low-income households who rely heavily on public transport.

Further details on operational adjustments and routes covered under the scheme are expected to be shared in the coming days.