Pakistan Offers Fuel Relief Scheme Amid Global Oil Price Surge
Pakistan's government has introduced a fuel relief scheme to ease the burden on households due to surging global oil prices. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis, and small cars with engines up to 800cc will receive a Rs100-per-litre discount on a monthly quota of up to 20 litres for two- and three-wheelers, or up to 30 litres a month for qualifying small cars.
The relief comes as petrol in Pakistan has climbed to Rs375.82 per litre and high-speed diesel to Rs403.32 per litre following the latest increase announced on Friday. Under the scheme, eligible consumers would effectively pay Rs275.82 per litre for fuel covered by their quota, with a maximum monthly saving of up to Rs2,000 for two- and three-wheelers and up to Rs3,000 for qualifying small cars.
The subsidy will be introduced in stages, starting on September 15 in Islamabad and on September 17 across the rest of Pakistan. Registration for the programme began on Sunday, with details communicated through a public awareness campaign.