PM widens fuel subsidy, eases weekly limits

Dawn reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a reworked framework for the fuel relief scheme on Friday, widening its reach to more two- and three-wheelers and loosening weekly limits. The prime minister, currently abroad on an official visit, also brought motorbikes, rickshaws and Qingqi models registered since January 1, 2006 into the programme.

Each token now carries a Rs500 discount rather than five litres of fuel, and it stays valid for seven days after issuance. Two- and three-wheelers are now allowed a Rs500 weekly concession with no quantity cap, while eligible citizens may get up to Rs2,000 per month through several redemptions.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said around 24 million people currently benefit, with facilitation camps set up in every province, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and Islamabad. He conceded that early problems with payments to petrol pump owners were fixed after talks with the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association. Under the austerity measures, government vehicles now receive 50 per cent less fuel, with operational field and defence vehicles exempt. A senior provincial official told Dawn that Sindh is expected to unveil revised timings for markets and restaurants next week.