Fuel Subsidy Expanded to 2‑ and 3‑Wheelers
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has broadened the fuel relief scheme to cover motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws, easing weekly limits and offering a Rs500 discount per token.
The decision, announced while Sharif was abroad on an official visit, extends eligibility to all two‑ and three‑wheelers registered on or after January 1, 2006. Previously only certain vehicles could claim the subsidy, but the new structure now allows up to 20‑year‑old motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws to receive the benefit.
Under the revised scheme, each token is valid for seven days and entitles the holder to a Rs500 discount on fuel, rather than a fixed volume of petrol. Citizens can redeem multiple tokens each week, with a maximum monthly concession of Rs2,000. This change is expected to give motorists greater flexibility and reduce the administrative burden of tracking fuel volumes.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that roughly 24 million people are currently benefiting from the fuel relief program. He highlighted the role of facilitation camps set up across the four provinces, Gilgit‑Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, where parliamentarians and political teams assist citizens in redeeming tokens and addressing complaints.
While the scheme has been welcomed by many, initial implementation hiccups—particularly regarding payment mechanisms for petrol pump owners—were resolved after meetings with the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association. Chaudhry also noted that government vehicle fuel allocations have been cut by 50 percent, except for operational and defence vehicles, and that new purchases of government vehicles and other items are being restricted.
In related news, Sindh is expected to announce revised market and restaurant closure timings next week, aiming to avoid early closures that could hurt traders. Meanwhile, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain deliberating on broader austerity measures.
