PM Shehbaz directs inclusion of 20-year-old bikes, rickshaws in fuel relief scheme

On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles known as Qingqis registered after January 1, 2006, would be included in the government's newly announced fuel relief scheme. The Prime Minister's Office announced via a social media post that these motorized vehicles would now be eligible for benefits under the scheme.

The Prime Minister had previously on September 13 unveiled a relief scheme aimed at easing the strain on users of motorcycles, autos, and vehicles up to 800cc due to the increasing cost of global oil prices. Under this scheme, vehicle owners were entitled to a Rs100 per litre rebate on petrol. Those with motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis, three-wheelers, and engines up to 800cc were eligible for relief on 20 liters of petrol per month.

Similarly, owners of small cars with engines up to 800cc received the Rs100 per litre rebate on 30 liters of petrol each month. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East, impacting major oil supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, has led to a surge in fuel prices over the past two months. The initial rollout of the subsidy scheme faced challenges on its first day, with some petrol pumps refusing to honor the reduced price due to lack of requisite systems in the digital app.

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association had previously expressed concerns over the scheme's disbursement mechanism, warning members about potential difficulties in recovering the amount. Amid the fuel crisis, the federal government also reinstated austerity measures, setting a curfew of 9 pm for markets and reducing fuel supply for official vehicles by 50% for three months.