ISLAMABAD: PM Shehbaz Announces fuel relief scheme for motorcycle, rickshaw, Qingqi and small-car users as the government moves to ease the financial pressure caused by sharply higher international oil prices.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the special relief initiative following growing concerns over the impact of rising fuel costs on ordinary citizens. Under the scheme, eligible consumers will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on a specified monthly fuel quota.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, users of two- and three-wheeled vehicles will be eligible for relief on up to 20 litres of fuel per month. Owners of vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc will receive the same Rs100-per-litre relief on a monthly quota of 30 litres.
The government said the initiative was designed particularly to support segments of society most affected by increasing transportation and fuel costs.
PM Shehbaz Announces Fuel Relief Scheme Amid Rising Oil Prices
The relief scheme comes as international oil prices have climbed amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to major energy supply routes.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Shehbaz took immediate notice of the increase in global oil prices and the additional financial burden being placed on the public.
The scheme will initially become effective in Islamabad from midnight between Monday and Tuesday, September 15. Consumers in other parts of the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, will receive the relief from midnight between Wednesday and Thursday, September 17.
Registration for the programme has already been launched, while the government said further details about the registration process would be communicated through a public awareness campaign.
How the Fuel Relief Scheme Will Work
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik said the initiative was designed to provide targeted assistance to the population most affected by rising fuel prices.
According to the minister, consumers will register themselves and receive a token number. Devices required to process the subsidised fuel have been dispatched to petrol stations, allowing registered consumers to obtain fuel at the reduced price after presenting their token.
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The government has also thanked provincial authorities for cooperating in providing information about motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles that could be included in the registration process.
Global Oil Crisis Puts Pressure on Pakistan
Pakistan’s latest fuel-relief initiative comes against the backdrop of significant volatility in international energy markets. Disruptions involving key oil routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, have raised concerns about global supplies and pushed fuel prices higher.
Following the latest price increase, petrol reached Rs375.82 per litre, while high-speed diesel was priced at Rs403.32 per litre, according to the information provided.
The government continues to collect taxes and duties on petroleum products, adding to the cost faced by consumers. The latest relief programme is therefore being viewed as an attempt to cushion lower- and middle-income households from the immediate impact of higher fuel prices.
With global energy markets remaining uncertain, the government faces continued pressure to balance consumer relief with the fiscal challenges created by expensive petroleum imports and fluctuating international prices.
