Govt may allocate up to Rs500bn under Sasta Petrol Scheme

Mettis Link News reported that Petroleum Minister Pervaiz Malik said the government may commit between Rs400 billion and Rs500 billion of its own funds to extend the Sasta Petrol scheme by another 10 months. Under the programme, eligible motorcyclists and small vehicle owners receive up to Rs100 per litre off petrol. Malik added that officials could trim their own spending to cover the relief if needed.

Malik noted that more than six million people have signed up so far, while the state currently spends Rs35 billion to Rs40 billion a month on the scheme. He also said any fall in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers, and the subsidy could run until the ongoing war ends if required. He thanked petrol pump operators for delivering the benefit without extra charges.

He also clarified that his earlier remark about petrol reaching Rs1,000 per litre had been misread, explaining that it concerned price control during a possible shortage, which he said would not occur. Malik ruled out repeating the 2022 fuel subsidy approach, which he said was launched without preparation and pushed the country near default. Measured against current monthly outlays, the proposed allocation would equal several months of spending on the scheme.