The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) has stated that transport fares across Pakistan have remained unchanged, even as officials reported mixed trends in the prices of essential commodities, including a notable decline in chicken prices.
Read More: Inter-city transport fares drop after diesel price cut
The claim was made during a meeting chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad, where officials reviewed overall inflation trends and market stability. According to the committee’s briefing, chicken prices have returned to pre-Middle East conflict levels after experiencing volatility in recent weeks due to regional tensions affecting supply chains.
اسلام آباد: وفاقی وزیر منصوبہ بندی، ترقی و خصوصی اقدامات پروفیسر احسن اقبال کی زیر صدارت نیشنل پرائس مانیٹرنگ کمیٹی کا ہفتہ وار اجلاس جمعہ کے روز منعقد ہوا، جس میں ملک میں اشیائے ضروریہ کی قیمتوں کا جائزہ لیا گیا۔
اجلاس میں بریفنگ کے دوران بتایا گیا کہ عالمی دباؤ کے باوجود ملک… pic.twitter.com/kJTxxxgWVT— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) April 24, 2026
However, the official statement did not provide a detailed breakdown of transport fare trends, despite widespread reports of fare increases on both intra-city and inter-city routes following recent rises in petroleum prices. Over the past month, passengers in several cities have reported higher travel costs, particularly in Punjab and Sindh.
When the stakes are high, the work goes on; till late into the night.
Federal Minister for Planning Prof. Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting till late into this hour, bringing together minds to strategize, align, and deliver on key national priorities.
Progress requires more than… pic.twitter.com/4fZvCw4wrs
— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) April 23, 2026
Officials from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) informed the meeting that overall price movements in essential goods were being monitored closely. The committee noted that provincial governments’ interventions, including targeted subsidies for transporters, may have helped prevent further increases in freight and passenger fares.
The minister expressed satisfaction over the stability of fertiliser prices, describing it as a positive development for agriculture and food security. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening supply chain infrastructure, particularly cold storage facilities in the poultry sector, to ensure long-term price stability.
Ahsan Iqbal directed relevant authorities to submit proposals for cold chain development within five days. He also raised concerns over the sale of substandard edible products in rural markets and called for stricter enforcement measures.
The meeting further noted a significant gap between wholesale and retail prices in some cities, instructing provincial authorities to improve monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
Read More: Punjab announces free transport in 17 districts to boost public relief
The government has reactivated the NPMC for weekly monitoring of price trends and policy coordination to control inflationary pressures across the country.