ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a special petrol relief package of Rs100 per litre for motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi vehicles and cars with engines up to 800cc.
The prime minister said the government fully understands the financial burden being placed on the public due to the recent increase in oil prices. He assured citizens that the government would not leave them alone during the difficult period and announced a targeted relief scheme for people who rely on small vehicles for transportation and livelihood.
Under the scheme, motorcycle, rickshaw, Qingqi and eligible small-car owners will receive Rs100 relief per litre of petrol.
According to the announcement, owners of cars with engines of up to 800cc will be eligible for relief on a maximum of 30 litres of petrol per month. This means eligible small-car owners could receive up to Rs3,000 in monthly petrol relief, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
The government said the initiative is intended to provide direct support to ordinary citizens affected by higher fuel prices. Motorcycles and rickshaws are widely used by workers, students, small traders and low-income households, while many people also depend on rickshaws and small vehicles for their livelihoods.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the relief would initially be implemented in Islamabad. The scheme will take effect in the federal capital during the night between Monday and Tuesday.
For the rest of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the relief will be implemented during the night between Wednesday and Thursday.
The prime minister also announced that registration for the special relief scheme has started. The government plans to inform citizens about the registration process and eligibility criteria through an awareness campaign.
He said the federal government appreciates the cooperation of the provinces in providing information about motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles, which will help authorities implement the targeted relief programme.
The scheme is aimed at ensuring that the petrol subsidy reaches those most affected by rising fuel costs rather than providing a blanket subsidy to all consumers.
The announcement comes at a time when higher international oil prices and rising transportation costs have increased financial pressure on households and businesses. Petrol prices have a direct impact on commuting expenses, goods transportation and the cost of everyday services.
Motorcycle users are expected to be among the major beneficiaries of the programme because motorcycles are one of the most commonly used forms of private transport in Pakistan. Similarly, rickshaw and Qingqi drivers depend heavily on petrol for their daily income and are particularly vulnerable to increases in fuel prices.
The inclusion of vehicles with engines up to 800cc is also intended to provide assistance to lower-income families who use small cars for transportation.
The government has indicated that the relief will be provided through a registration-based mechanism. Citizens will therefore need to provide the required vehicle and personal information to qualify for the benefit.
The authorities are expected to release further details regarding the registration process, verification mechanism and method through which the petrol relief will be delivered.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government recognizes the difficulties faced by citizens and reiterated that measures are being taken to reduce the impact of higher fuel costs.
The Rs100-per-litre relief represents a significant targeted intervention for eligible consumers. However, its effectiveness will depend on transparent registration, accurate verification of vehicle owners and the timely implementation of the programme across the country.
The government has urged eligible citizens to participate in the registration process once the official mechanism becomes available and to follow information provided through its public awareness campaign.
With the scheme scheduled to begin in Islamabad first and subsequently across the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, millions of motorcycle, rickshaw and small-car users could potentially benefit from the targeted petrol relief.
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