KARACHI:
After completing matric, students from different parts of Balochistan usually move to Quetta to prepare for university entrance examinations. With surging inflation, and fuel price hikes, students are faced with significant challenges as most come from middle or low-income families and cannot afford to live in Quetta without financial assistance from their families or undertaking odd jobs. Most have a monthly budget of up to Rs10,000, which is not enough to afford rent, food, etc.
The local transporters have added to students’ hardships by almost doubling the bus ticket prices within Balochistan. The Turbat to Quetta bus ticket, which used to be Rs1,500 was raised to Rs3,000. After many demonstrations and requests, the municipal administration took notice of the matter and released a notification with ticket prices lowered to Rs2,500 with a 50% discount for students. However, the two main transporters to Quetta refused to change their prices and continued charging students Rs3,000.
The deputy commissioner took notice of this and ordered the police to arrest the transporters. Subsequently, the transport union announced that they will re-adjust the prices and provide a 50% discount to only three students per bus. This is completely unfair and unjustifiable because all students are equally deserving. I urge the relevant authorities to persuade the transporters to treat all students fairly and justly. Otherwise, students will be compelled to give up on their education because of the growing expenses.
Waqar Moosa
Turbat
Published in The Express Tribune, July 19th, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
