Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday, channeling US President Donald Trump, ended his announcement about free public transport in Islamabad with the phrase, “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The US President is known for using the same sign-off in many of his posts on Truth Social.
Naqvi wrote on X that, on the directions of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all public transport in the capital would be free for the general public for the next 30 days, starting Saturday.
The country’s Ministry of Interior will cover the cost of the initiative, he noted.
“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 for your attention to this matter,” Naqvi posted.
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The relief measure comes after the government sharply raised fuel prices due to surging global energy costs linked to the ongoing war in Iran. Petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan jumped by up to 54% on Friday, placing additional pressure on a country already facing high inflation.
Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Pervez Malik called the hike as “unavoidable,” citing a 137-rupee (49 cents) per litre rise in petrol and a 184.49-rupee (67 cents) per litre increase in diesel overnight.
Additionally, in Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, the chief minister lifted fares for state-run public transport and announced targeted subsidies for trucks and buses. Maryam Nawaz Sharif urged operators not to pass on increased costs to passengers and consumers.
In light of the surge in international oil prices driven by ongoing global crises and conflict, pressure on domestic fuel costs has become unavoidable.
To mitigate this impact, Punjab has introduced a targeted monthly subsidy: Rs. 70,000 for registered goods transport vehicles,…
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 3, 2026
“To mitigate this impact, Punjab has introduced a targeted monthly subsidy: Rs. 70,000 for registered goods transport vehicles, Rs. 80,000 for large transport vehicles, and Rs. 100,000 for public service buses. As this relief has been extended to ease your operational burden, transporters across Punjab are urged to act responsibly and refrain from passing the increased costs on to consumers and passengers,” Sharif wrote on X.
In Sindh, the provincial government in Pakistan’s biggest city, Karachi, announced similar subsidies for motorcyclists and small farmers.
(With inputs from agencies)
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