Pakistan's government has announced that public transport in Islamabad and Punjab will be free for the next 30 days following a dramatic increase in fuel prices. Petrol prices surged by 42.7% and diesel by 54.9%, prompting widespread protests as citizens reacted to the financial strain. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the government would bear the cost of 350 million rupees (approximately $1.25 million USD) for this initiative aimed at alleviating the economic burden on the public. In addition to free transport, targeted subsidies for trucks and buses have been introduced. The government is also implementing austerity measures, including a four-day work week for many offices and extended school holidays, to conserve fuel. Protests have erupted in cities like Lahore, where citizens expressed their frustration over the government's decision, attributing the price hikes to pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rather than the ongoing Iran conflict. The IMF has warned that vulnerable economies, including Pakistan, face rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East.