BAHAWALPUR, Jan 16: Transporters and motorists have criticized the government for enhancing petroleum prices, reports reaching here said on Friday.

They said abrupt increase of Rs1.70 per litre petrol would be a burden on the mediocre and low-income groups, who were already making both ends meet.

The transport companies, in the meanwhile, have demanded raise in bus fares on inter-city routes due to increase in diesel prices. Divisional Transporters Federation, Bahawalpur chapter, president Chaudhry Sohail Ashraf Warriach has said a meeting will soon be called in to take a decision in this regard.

Several cab and rickshaw drivers have already increased the fares arbitrarily on various city routes. Clashes between public transport drivers and commuters have been reported in many parts of the district.

DENIES ATTACK: The father of Muhammad Naeem, who was arrested on Dec 25 last for his alleged involvement in attack on the president, has denied his son's association with any outfit.

Dr Taj, while speaking in Ahmadpur East on Friday, claimed that his son ran a medical store and had nothing to do with any jihadi group of Afghanistan. Nor were there any police records against Naeem, he said, and described his arrest as illegal. However, Dr Taj admitted that one of his sons, Nadeem, had been in Afghanistan and he was imprisoned after the fall of the Taliban.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...