Pakistan Railways increases fares due to diesel surge

• Passenger fares have been raised by 2 %, effective immediately in response to a diesel price hike of Rs 11.37 per litre.

• Freight rates also saw adjustments: coal by 3 % and fertilizer by 2 %.

💸 Impact on railway finances

• Pakistan Railways consumes roughly 350,000 L of diesel daily, incurring ~Rs 3.99 million in added daily fuel costs and ~Rs 119.5 million monthly.

• The fare changes help mitigate these rising operational costs driven by global fuel volatility.

📅 Timeline of recent fare hikes

• This is the second fare increase in two weeks.

• Previously, on July 4, fares were raised by 2% with implementation on July 18, and before that on June 18, passenger fares rose 3% and freight by 4 %.

🚄 Pak Business Express to relaunch soon

• Pakistan Railways is preparing to relaunch the Pak Business Express on the Lahore–Karachi route with upgraded coaches, better seating, Wi-Fi, and catering.

• The Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate the revamped service in the coming days.

📌 Why this matters

• Higher diesel costs have forced transport operators across Pakistan to raise fares (even in buses and rickshaws), amplifying public frustration.

• Railways, which is heavily reliant on diesel fuel, is now passing a portion of these higher costs onto passengers and freight customers.

📊 Summary Table