Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced a fuel relief package for motorcycle, rickshaw and small-car owners to help reduce the burden of rising petrol prices following a sharp increase in global oil rates.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, motorcycle, rickshaw and other two- and three-wheeler users will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre on up to 20 litres of petrol every month. Car owners with engines of up to 800cc will also be eligible for a Rs100 per litre subsidy on a maximum of 30 litres of petrol per month.
The scheme will initially be launched in Islamabad from midnight between Monday and Tuesday. It will then be expanded nationwide, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, from midnight between Wednesday and Thursday. Registration for the programme opened on Sunday, while more information will be provided through a public awareness campaign.
The announcement came after the government recently raised petroleum prices for the fourth consecutive time. Petrol prices increased by Rs3.05 per litre, while high-speed diesel became Rs5.37 per litre more expensive from Friday.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz said the government understood the difficulties people were facing because of higher fuel costs and would continue taking measures to provide relief during the difficult period. He also appreciated the cooperation of the provinces in providing data on motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles to help with the registration process.
International oil prices fell on Friday but were still heading towards a weekly increase of more than 8%. US diesel prices also hit a record high as attacks on shipping routes in the Middle East increased concerns about prolonged disruptions to energy supplies. Brent crude futures settled at $104.61 per barrel, down $3.02 or 2.81%.
Earlier this year, the federal government had introduced a relief initiative for April after Prime Minister Shehbaz directed provincial authorities to assist with the registration of motorcycles and rickshaws in their owners’ names. The initiative was aimed at establishing a dedicated Fuel Support Programme to provide assistance to low-income commuters affected by fluctuations in international oil prices.
Shehbaz had said the programme would help establish a nationwide digital database of motorcycles and rickshaws, enabling their owners to benefit from future government relief measures.
He had also instructed the authorities to coordinate with the chief secretaries of the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to ensure the programme was properly implemented.