The Murad Ali Shah has approved new subsidies for public transport operators and small-scale farmers to ease the impact of rising global fuel prices.
Chairing a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House, Shah reviewed a targeted public transport subsidy program aimed at keeping fares affordable and ensuring the smooth operation of the province’s transport network.
Officials told the meeting that petrol and diesel prices have increased significantly in recent months due to global geopolitical factors, raising concerns about higher transport fares and declining ridership.
“We cannot allow the burden of rising fuel prices to fall on the common man,” the chief minister said, adding that the subsidy aims to maintain fares and keep public transport services running efficiently across Sindh.
Under the proposed mechanism, both the federal and provincial governments will share the subsidy burden. Transport operators will receive financial support based on vehicle type and route length, provided that fares are not increased.
Authorities estimate that the province’s public transport system includes more than 10,800 vehicles operating on 224 routes, serving nearly 1.9 million passengers daily. The subsidy program is expected to cost about Rs2.15 billion per month.
We’ll distribute the subsidy through a digital, app-based monitoring system that integrates route permits, vehicle fitness data, and bank account verification.
We will pay transport operators directly, and we will monitor through inspections, commuter feedback, and digital verification systems, including OTP authentication and standardized fuel benchmarks.
In a separate decision, the Sindh government approved Rs3 billion in financial assistance for around 366,000 small farmers.
The subsidy aims to offset rising diesel costs during the wheat harvesting season, particularly for farmers owning between one and 25 acres of land.
Murad Ali Shah directed authorities to launch the subsidy program from April 9, 2026, to provide immediate relief.
He described small farmers as “the backbone of the rural economy”, adding that the assistance would help them continue agricultural operations without additional financial pressure.
The chief minister also said the government is shifting from blanket subsidies to more targeted support measures, while directing departments to ensure the timely implementation of both transport and agriculture relief programs.