K-P waives transport taxes to cut fares

One-month relief; officials ordered to enforce reductions

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a one-month waiver on schedule tax and stand tax for the transport sector as part of relief measures for passengers amid concerns over high fares.

The decision was taken during an important video-link meeting chaired by Commissioner Peshawar Division and Chairman Regional Transport Authority, Riaz Khan Mehsud. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of all five districts of Peshawar Division, Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mohmand Tribal District, and Khyber District, along with the Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority.

Participants reviewed in detail the relief package announced by the provincial government for the transport sector. As per government directives, both schedule tax and stand tax have been waived for one month across all districts. Transporters have been bound to pass on the full benefit of this relief to passengers by reducing fares accordingly.

Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud issued strict instructions for effective monitoring of fares and ordered the deployment of three Assistant Commissioners in each district specifically for checking fares at transport stands and major highways. He further directed all Deputy Commissioners to personally supervise field operations to prevent overcharging.

Transporters have been strictly instructed to prominently display the official government-approved fare list on the front of every vehicle so that passengers can easily know the fixed rates.

The meeting was convened in the context of the Commissioner's recent visit to passenger stands, GT Road, and the motorway in Peshawar. The primary objective is to ensure uniform implementation of fare reduction across all districts and to provide maximum relief to the general public.