ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railway has increased train fares: 3% for all passenger trains starting from June 20 and 4% for freight services starting June 23.

The move follows the government’s decision on June 16 to increase petrol prices by Rs 4.80 per liter and diesel prices by Rs 7.95, which has increased the operational costs of the railways.

According to Pakistan Railway, the increase is necessary to meet rising costs, although passengers have condemned it, saying that railways are one of the last affordable modes of transport. Freight associations also demand that the 4% increase will balloon shipping costs, impacting consumer prices and supply chains.