ABBOTTABAD: With the rise in CNG prices, transporters across the district have hiked fares arbitrarily as the relevant authorities are silent on the matter, commuters complained on Sunday.

They deplored the silence of the district administration, the police and the Road Transport Authority over the matter. They said there were daily brawls between the commuters and transporters over the fare.

Meanwhile, the RTA secretary, who had increased the fares on local routes by Rs15 to Rs30, decided to withdraw the decision due to public anger.

The secretary RTA said that fares would be fixed after consultations with all the stakeholders.

The commuters said a committee formed to determine the fares had yet to meet. They said transport fares were determined on the fluctuations in the prices of petrol and diesel, and not on variations in rates of CNG.

They demanded of the district administration to intervene in the matter.

Meanwhile, the Galiyat police raided the residence of PTI leader Ghazanfar Ali Abbasi on Saturday night, the sources said.

The PTI leader in a video message uploaded on social media said that his house was raided without warrants.

However, sources said the police arrested Mr Abbasi from his house.

But the police neither confirmed nor denied the arrest.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2023