LAHORE – Traveling from Karachi to Lahore has become costly and challenging for citizens planning to celebrate Basant. Airfares and railway tickets have seen a sharp increase in recent days. This sudden rise has caused concern among passengers across the country.
With the approach of Basant, demand for travel to Lahore has increased significantly. Airlines have raised ticket prices due to high demand and limited seat availability. According to sources, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and several private airlines have increased fares without prior notice. The cost of a one-way air ticket from Karachi to Lahore has crossed Rs68,000.
Passengers say ticket prices are changing frequently. In some cases, fares increase within hours. The situation has worsened due to the public holiday on February 5. Many travelers want to reach Lahore early to attend events and family gatherings linked to Basant. This has added further pressure on available flights.
Several passengers have complained that airlines are exploiting the situation. They claim airlines are using the limited number of seats to justify unusually high fares. Many citizens have described the prices as unaffordable and unfair.
Railway travel is also facing similar issues. Trains running between Karachi and Lahore are overcrowded. Tickets are hard to find, especially in economy and business classes. Railway officials say the rush has increased due to seasonal travel. However, passengers argue that better planning was needed.
Due to the shortage of train tickets, many travelers are forced to consider air travel. This leaves them with no option but to pay high fares. For middle-income families, this has become a serious financial burden.
Citizens have urged authorities to take immediate notice of the issue. They have called on the Civil Aviation Authority to monitor airline pricing closely. Passengers want action against airlines charging excessive fares. Many have also demanded better coordination from Pakistan Railways to manage the surge.
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Travelers say festivals should bring joy, not stress. They believe fair pricing and better planning can ease public hardship. As Basant celebrations draw closer, citizens hope authorities will step in to provide relief and ensure affordable travel for all.
