Government expands petrol subsidy to motorcycles registered since 2006
The decision will allow owners of older vehicles to register for the Rs100 per litre petrol relief amid rising fuel prices.
Older vehicles now eligible for petrol relief
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the immediate inclusion of older motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws in the relief programme.
Under the revised eligibility criteria, all motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws registered on or after January 1, 2006, can now register for the scheme.
Previously, the scheme was limited to motorcycles and three-wheelers registered on or after January 1, 2011.
The change is expected to benefit owners and drivers who rely on older vehicles for daily travel and income but were previously excluded because of their vehicles’ registration dates.
Rs100 per litre petrol discount
The Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme provides registered beneficiaries with a discount of Rs100 per litre on petrol.
The programme was introduced to reduce the financial burden on citizens following a rise in global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government understood the difficulties faced by the public because of higher fuel prices.
“The government is fully aware of the burden being placed on the people due to the increase in oil prices,” he was quoted as saying in an official press release.
“We will not leave the people alone in this difficult time,” he added.
The relief is available within the monthly fuel limits set under the scheme.
Payments to petrol pumps begin
Meanwhile, payments to petrol pumps under the relief programme have started, according to the Petroleum Pump Owners Association.
The association said Rs12.2 million had been paid to 868 petrol pumps against claims for September 16.
It added that the full amount claimed by the 868 stations had been cleared.
The payments are intended to reimburse petrol stations for providing subsidised fuel to registered beneficiaries.
Digital system activated nationwide
The digital system introduced for the fuel relief scheme has also been activated.
The system allows registered beneficiaries to receive the petrol discount at participating fuel stations across the country.
Authorities are also carrying out real-time monitoring of subsidised petrol distribution to registered citizens.
The monitoring mechanism is intended to track transactions, verify the provision of relief and support transparency in the implementation process.
Also Read:Petrol price hike pushes weekly inflation up 0.49pc in Pakistan
Around one million people registered
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima said around one million people had registered for the petrol relief scheme so far.
The government has been using a registration and verification system to identify eligible beneficiaries.
The expansion of the criteria to include vehicles registered from 2006 may increase the number of people eligible for the programme, particularly motorcycle users and rickshaw drivers who operate older vehicles.
Fuel price hike raises weekly inflation
The announcement comes as higher petroleum prices have added to inflationary pressure in Pakistan.
According to the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, weekly inflation increased by 0.49pc following the rise in petroleum product prices.
The annualised weekly inflation rate was recorded at 10.64pc.
The report showed that prices of 19 essential commodities increased during the week, while nine items became cheaper.
Diesel recorded the largest week-on-week increase, rising by 7.29pc.
Petrol prices increased by 6.40pc, while LPG became 3.26pc more expensive.
The rise in fuel prices can affect transportation costs and increase the expenses of businesses and households that depend on petrol and diesel.
