Govt unveils Rs100/litre petrol relief for bikes, rickshaws, small cars

The government has introduced a relief scheme that takes Rs100 off each litre of petrol for motorcycle, rickshaw, Qingqi rickshaw and small-car users, according to Mettis Global. The move follows a jump in global oil prices driven by rising strain in the Middle East. Two- and three-wheeler users can claim relief on up to 20 litres monthly, while vehicles with engines up to 800cc qualify for up to 30 litres.

Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, said rollout begins in Islamabad Capital Territory overnight on Monday into Tuesday, before reaching Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the rest of the country overnight on Wednesday into Thursday. Registration has opened, and details of the process will be shared through a public awareness campaign. Provincial authorities have also been asked to supply the vehicle and user data needed for enrolment.

The government says the aim is to shield lower-income and small-vehicle users from higher fuel costs. Mettis Global also notes that costlier crude could swell Pakistan's petroleum import bill and feed into domestic fuel prices and inflation. The scheme follows earlier targeted subsidies, which included Rs100 per litre for motorcycles on up to 20 litres a month, Rs70,000 per month for truck operators and Rs100,000 per month for public buses.