The Gilgit-Baltistan government-owned Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) has announced the cancellation of free travel passes previously available to needy citizens, NATCO officials, senior citizens, and specially-abled persons. The reserved seat policy has also been revised, as stated in a circular issued by NATCO General Manager Administration Abdul Hameed.
According to the circular, the free travel passes, initially intended to assist the underprivileged, were being misused, which defeated their purpose. Consequently, the issuance of these passes has been discontinued with immediate effect. Under the new policy, two seats in every vehicle will now be exclusively reserved for emergent tours of NATCO officers and officials or the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. These seats will only be allocated through the General Manager, Passenger Operations, with prior approval from the Managing Director or an authorized senior officer.
For situations where no emergent official tours are scheduled, the reserved seats will be available to specially-abled persons and senior citizens at a 50% discounted rate. The policy also retains the allocation of up to five discounted seats for students and the existing quota for army officials until further notice.
The circular strictly prohibits any NATCO management officer from directing station managers to allocate free seats under any circumstances. It further warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against those violating the policy. The revised guidelines are effective immediately and must be adhered to by all relevant departments and personnel.
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