Lahore (UMAR HAYAT CH) Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore, Ziauddin Ansari Advocate has strongly criticized the government and district administration for failing to pass on the benefits of reduced petroleum prices to the public, stating that the continued high transport fares reflect serious administrative failure.In a statement issued on Wednesday, he said that despite a significant reduction in petroleum product prices, the Lahore administration has been unable to ensure a corresponding decrease in public transport fares and the prices of essential food items. He termed the situation a clear contradiction to the claims made by the Punjab government regarding inflation control and public relief.Ziauddin Ansari pointed out that local transport fares across various parts of Lahore remain unchanged, resulting in frequent disputes between passengers and drivers. He noted that arguments, verbal abuse, and quarrels have become routine due to the absence of officially enforced fare reductions.He further said that the failure to revise fare lists despite cheaper fuel prices demonstrates the incompetence and negligence of the relevant authorities. According to him, transporters continue to charge fares arbitrarily, while regulatory and monitoring institutions have adopted a silent spectator’s role.The Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore leader observed that even a minor increase in petrol prices leads to an immediate and unjustified hike in transport fares, whereas no relief is provided when prices are reduced. He emphasized that providing economic relief to citizens is the fundamental responsibility of the state, and ignoring this duty is unacceptable.Ziauddin Ansari demanded that the government take immediate and effective measures to ensure that the benefits of reduced petroleum prices reach the public by strictly enforcing reductions in public transport fares and the prices of essential commodities.
