PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced a subsidy for all registered motorcycle riders in the province to help ease the burden of rising petroleum prices.
Addressing a press conference alongside Special Assistant to CM on Information Shafiq Jan and Advisor on Finance Mazhar Aslam, the Chief Minister strongly condemned the federal government’s recent petrol price increase, calling it an “atomic bomb” dropped on the people.
He said the provincial government completely rejects the hike, urged the federal authorities to take provinces into confidence, and demanded that the centre reduce its lavish spending rather than burdening citizens.
He accused the federal side of politicizing issues while KP had consistently shown restraint in difficult times, including during the COVID petrol price rises, Punjab floods, the Gul Plaza fire in Karachi, and Nawaz Sharif’s health concerns, yet they politicize the founder of PTI’s health matters.
The Chief Minister announced that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to provide direct financial relief to motorcycle users amid soaring fuel costs. With approximately 14 to 16 lakh registered motorcycles currently in the province, every registered motorcycle owner or user will receive Rs 2,200 to help reduce travel expenses.
He emphasized that the provincial government stands firmly with its people, noting that BRT fares will not be increased and the government will bear the additional cost itself. The administration has also imposed a ban on the purchase and sale of new official vehicles and on international tours. Despite the crash of the provincial helicopter, no replacement is being procured. In contrast, he alleged, the federal government is purchasing private jets, refusing to cut extravagance, and imposing a Rs 55 per litre increase on petrol prices.
CM Sohail Afridi reaffirmed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government remains committed to supporting its citizens during these challenging economic times.
