Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced a Rs3 billion subsidy to support small growers and reviewed a targeted public transport subsidy program to mitigate the impact of rising global fuel prices. This initiative aims to stabilize fares and support the agricultural sector, which has been affected by the fuel hike.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the meeting at the CM House included provincial ministers and key officials who discussed measures to maintain affordable public transport fares and ensure the sustainability of the transport network amid rising fuel costs. The targeted subsidy program, funded by both federal and provincial governments, will offer financial support to transport operators, contingent on maintaining current fare levels.

The province’s transport network, comprising over 10,800 vehicles and serving nearly 1.9 million passengers daily, will benefit from a monthly subsidy of approximately Rs2.15 billion. This support aims to protect commuters from fare hikes and ensure continued transport services across Sindh.

To promote transparency, the subsidy will be managed through a digital system involving route permits, vehicle data, and bank account verification, with payments made directly to operators. Safeguards such as OTP verification and standardized fuel benchmarks will be employed to manage the fiscal impact effectively.

In addition to transport subsidies, the chief minister approved a Rs3 billion relief package for 366,000 small growers to offset increased diesel costs during the wheat harvesting season. This initiative will provide direct financial assistance to eligible farmers with small landholdings, helping them manage diesel expenses for threshing and harvesting.

The chief minister emphasized the government’s commitment to targeted, transparent support mechanisms over blanket subsidies, ensuring relief reaches those most in need without compromising fiscal discipline. Directions were given to expedite the implementation of both transport and agriculture support measures to mitigate the impact of the fuel price surge on citizens and the economy.