Pakistan, April 3 -- The state-run public transport in Islamabad and its most populous province will be free for the next month, officials said on Friday after the government sharply increased fuel prices due to rising global energy costs linked to the Iran war.

The move follows a late-night decision to raise petrol prices by 42.7 percent and diesel by 54.9 percent, which triggered several street protests, according to AFP. Long lines of motorbikes were also reported at fuel stations as people rushed to fill up.

Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi took to X and said, "All public transport in Islamabad will be made free of cost for the general public for the next 30 days, starting tomorrow (Saturday)."

He added that the government would incu...