Hike in inter-city fares: LHC allows implementation of chief minister's approved summary

Chief Justice Lahore High Court (LHC) here on Tuesday allowed implementation of a summary approved by the Chief Minister Punjab with regard to inter-city fares. Earlier, a summary was produced before the court by Secretary Transport during the hearing of a suo motu case against unauthorised increase in fares by urban transport services.
The secretary told the court that the transport authority after accumulating suggestions from all stakeholders had made a proposal for fixing the fares. According to proposed fares were from zero to 4km (Rs 12), 4.1 to 8km (Rs 15), 8.1 to 14km (Rs 18), 14.1 to 22km (Rs 22) and 22.1 to above (Rs 25).
However, he said, the Chief Minister ordered further reduction in the proposed fares which were rupees 11, 15, 17, 20 and 22 respectively. The Chief Justice observed that the Chief Minister was an elected representative of public and he would approve the fares while considering all the problems faced by the masses.
"We allow the summary which has been approved by the chief minister Punjab and direct that all the bus owners and transporters would act upon that summary. If any party violates, he will be dealt in accordance with law," Chief Justice wrote in his order while disposing of the suo motu case. The CJ had taken suo motu notice when the transporters had increased the minimum one-stop bus and wagon fare from Rs 10 to Rs 15 and the maximum fare from Rs 30 to Rs 35 without any official notification.