PM Shehbaz announces 'relief scheme' for bikes, autos, 800cc vehicles amid rising oil prices

Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Sunday a relief scheme for owners of motorcycles, autos and cars up to 800cc, intended to ease the strain from higher global oil prices. Two and three-wheeled vehicles will be eligible for Rs100 per litre off, capped at 20 litres each month. Small cars up to 800cc qualify for the same discount, with the monthly limit raised to 30 litres.

Renewed fighting in the Middle East has disrupted key oil shipping lanes and pushed fuel costs up over the past two months. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, linked to the US-Iran war, and growing Houthi threats to Bab al-Mandab add further strain. Saudi Arabia has shut its East-West pipeline after an aerial attack, and the IEA now expects weaker supply and demand this year as the conflict delays a return to normal flows.

Registration opened on Sunday, and the relief applies in Islamabad from 12am on September 15, while Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and other areas follow from 12am on September 17. Petrol is currently priced at Rs375.82 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs403.32 after Friday's increase. Government levies stand at Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.