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Express Tribune
31-03-2025
- Express Tribune
People pay extra fares to be home for Eid
As Eid approaches, a large number of out-of-town residents are returning to their hometowns, leading to a surge in passengers on public transport. Taking advantage of the increased demand, transport operators have raised fares, adding to the financial burden of travelers already struggling with inflation. Meanwhile, the District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) has launched a crackdown on vehicles charging excessive fares. According to DRTA Secretary Saleem Memon, enforcement actions over the past four days have resulted in fines exceeding Rs1.2 million, while more than Rs7.7 million in overcharged fares has been refunded to passengers. Increased passenger load and fare hikes A significant rise in passenger traffic has been observed in Hyderabad, particularly among those returning to other provinces or cities within Sindh for Eid. Similarly, Hyderabad natives working in other cities or provinces are also making their way back home with their families. This has led to overcrowding on public transport, especially on routes between Karachi and Hyderabad, as well as from Hyderabad to Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, and other districts. Taking advantage of this demand, transporters have allegedly raised fares for intercity buses, coaches, and vans. Even rental car services operating between Karachi and Hyderabad are charging higher-than-usual rates, leaving travelers frustrated and forced to pay extra. Ongoing crackdown on overcharging The Sindh government has intensified its crackdown against excessive transport fares, refunding Rs159.97 million to passengers. On the directives of Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, the Transport Department inspected 5,294 vehicles, issuing 3,979 challans for violations. Memon emphasized that arbitrary fare hikes by transporters will not be tolerated, and strict action is being taken against violators without discrimination. The campaign to regulate fares will continue during Eid to protect passengers' rights. He reiterated that legal action is being taken against transporters charging excessive fares, with no exemptions. The government has implemented a strict monitoring strategy to ensure fair pricing and prevent exploitation. Memon directed transport officials to remain vigilant at bus terminals and highways, ensuring that no one exploits passengers financially. He also urged travelers to report any overcharging immediately, reaffirming that the law applies equally to all. In response to passenger complaints, DRTA Hyderabad Region Secretary Saleem Memon, in collaboration with SP Motorway Police Sector-3 Nadeem Ashraf, has been conducting day-and-night operations against transporters charging excessive fares. Acting on the directives of Sindh's Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Secretary of Transport & Mass Transit Department Asad Zaman, Hyderabad Commissioner Bilal Ahmed Memon, and DIG Hyderabad Tariq Dharejo have ordered intensified enforcement. Since March 25, authorities have been inspecting over 805 public transport vehicles traveling from Karachi and Hyderabad to Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Hyderabad alone, fare violators have been fined Rs1.285 million, while Rs. 7.735 million in excess fares has been refunded to passengers. This operation is part of a larger crackdown against fare gouging during the Eid holidays. Strict actions against violators DRTA Secretary Saleem Memon emphasized that strict actions will continue against those exploiting students, laborers, and government and private sector employees. SP Motorway Police Nadeem Ashraf stated that these enforcement efforts will continue throughout the year to protect passengers from fare exploitation. Within Hyderabad, operations are being carried out at Badin Bus Stop and National Highway checkpoints, with traffic police officers actively monitoring fare compliance. Additionally, several transporters who refused to refund overcharged fares have been arrested, after which they admitted their wrongdoing and returned the excess amounts. Saleem Memon further warned that any transporter failing to refund illegal fare hikes will face legal action, including cancellation of their route permits.
Khaleej Times
08-02-2025
- Khaleej Times
India: Customs foil 2 gold smuggling attempts; Rs7.7 million worth of yellow metal seized
Two separate gold smuggling attempts on February 7 and 8, involving passengers arriving from Riyadh, were successfully thwarted by Indian customs at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The total weight of the seized gold was 893kg. The estimated value of the undeclared goods is Rs7.7 million, according to the authorities. In the first incident, a 58-year-old female passenger, travelling on flight XY-46 from Riyadh to Delhi, was flagged for spot profiling as she exited through the Green Channel. During routine baggage screening, suspicious images were detected in the X-ray scan. Upon further inspection, customs officers discovered a concealed yellow metal cut piece weighing 466 grams hidden inside a hand mixer. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. In a second, similar incident, a 42-year-old male passenger on flight 6E-72, also from Riyadh, was intercepted after his baggage showed irregularities on the X-ray scan. A detailed search uncovered a 427-gram gold piece hidden in the same manner — inside a hand mixer. According to authorities, these smuggling attempts aimed to bypass customs checks and avoid paying duties on the precious metal. Both gold pieces were seized, and investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the gold, the passengers' intent, and potential links to larger smuggling networks. The similarities in the concealment method and travel route point to a possible pattern in gold smuggling between Riyadh and Delhi, authorities sAuthorities are continuing their inquiry into the passengers' backgrounds, travel histories, and possible connections to organized smuggling syndicates.
