Price monitoring committee directs Sindh govt to take corrective measures against rising fares in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) on Saturday reviewed the prices of essential commodities, transport fares and directed the Sindh government to take corrective measures regarding rising fares in Karachi.

On April 5, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had announced that the government had secured a province-wide fare freeze after successful negotiations with transporters. However, citizens using public transport in Karachi continue to pay inflated fares, it has emerged.

The meeting, chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, virtually examined the trend in food prices across the country amid a sharp increase in petroleum product prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Officials from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) briefed the committee on prevailing price trends and market conditions.

According to a statement, the meeting was informed that government subsidies had led to a notable reduction in transportation costs, with fare decreases ranging between 20 per cent and 30pc in several cities.

The overall trend in transport fares across the country remained downward. However, an increase in Karachi was noted.

Taking notice of rising transport fares in Karachi, the NPMC directed the Sindh government to take immediate corrective action.

The meeting also expressed concern over the substantial gap between wholesale and retail prices in certain cities, particularly Karachi, where differences of up to 142pc for tomatoes and 117pc for potatoes were recorded.

The NPMC directed the provincial government to ensure better alignment between wholesale and retail pricing.

According to official data, prices of eight essential commodities declined over the past week, while 28 items registered an increase.

Prices of garlic, bananas, chicken, and flour fell by 3.78pc, 3.39pc, 1.05pc, and 0.73pc, respectively. In contrast, significant increases were observed in the prices of diesel, petrol, tomatoes, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), and potatoes.

The PBS officials further informed the committee that overall stability in the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), which increased by 1.93pc in comparison to the previous week. Prices of ghee and edible oil also remained stable, while domestic fertiliser prices were kept under control despite rising trends in the global market.

Iqbal directed relevant authorities to take strict action against profiteering and hoarding, ensure uninterrupted supply of fertilisers, and maintain adequate availability in view of the upcoming crop sowing.

He also emphasised the need for close monitoring of price fluctuations and strengthening of the price monitoring system.

The minister stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued special directives to provide maximum relief to the public and to prevent abnormal increases in food prices.

He further expressed satisfaction that transporters were demonstrating responsibility and that the benefits of government subsidies were reaching the public. The minister added that conditions have not yet fully normalised, and sustained, coordinated, and serious efforts remain necessary to ensure price stability.

A day earlier, the government marginally reduced petrol prices by Rs12 per litre and diesel by Rs135 per litre. However, the rates remained significantly higher than pre-Middle East conflict levels. In addition, despite provinces announcing billions of rupees in subsidies for transporters, the benefits have yet to be effectively passed on to end consumers.

As per reports, citizens using public transport in Karachi were being charged high fares despite the provincial government’s fare freeze. Bus owners have widely ignored the Sindh government directive to freeze fares in return for a fuel subsidy, it emerged.

The practice of overcharging appeared to be rampant, as transporters — including operators of buses, minibuses, Qingqi rickshaws, school vans and goods carriers — continued demanding higher fares.