LAHORE, July 5: The Pakistan Railways has increased passenger fares by 5 to 15 per cent and freight charges by 5 per cent from July 7.

A PR spokesperson said on Saturday that rail fares of AC Sleeper, Business and Standard classes besides AC Parlour would be increased by 15 per cent and first class sleeper, economy and second classes by 5 per cent. Parcel charges would also go up by 10 per cent.

The annual impact on expenditure due to increase in fuel prices during the current financial year had been estimated at Rs2.5 billion and the recent surge in fares would hardly cover this burden, said the spokesperson.

The Pakistan Railways had notified increase in passenger fares by 10 per cent and freight charges by 15 per cent from May 9 and May 16, respectively.

Earlier, the passenger fares had been increased in December 2004 by five per cent while in May 2006 fuel adjustment charges were revised by Rs10 for short journey up to Rs30 for long journey.