Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced a special relief scheme offering Rs100 per litre off petrol for motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws and cars with engines of up to 800cc.
"In this hour of difficulty, we will not leave the public alone. To alleviate the burden of rising oil prices on users of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingchis, and small vehicles, a special scheme is being initiated. Under the special relief scheme, petrol users of motorcycles, rickshaws, Chingchis, and vehicles up to 800cc will receive a relief of 100 rupees per litre," said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The US-Iran conflict in the Middle East has pushed global oil prices higher, while attacks from Yemen on Saudi energy facilities have introduced a fresh source of market risk, broadening concerns beyond Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
To cope with the crisis, the government introduced a daily petroleum pricing mechanism in July, replacing the previous weekly system, as global oil prices became increasingly volatile amid geopolitical tensions. Since then, repeated price increases have pushed petrol to Rs375.82 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) to Rs403.32 per litre.
The PMO said the prime minister had taken immediate notice of the burden on the public caused by rising oil prices following recent tensions in the Middle East and the resulting increase in global oil prices.
PM Shehbaz said that the "government fully understands the burden being placed on the public by the increase in oil prices,” he said, adding: “We will not leave the people alone in this difficult time.”
"Owners of cars with engines of up to 800cc will receive the same relief on up to 30 litres of petrol per month," it said.
مشرق وسطی میں حالیہ کشیدگی اور اسکے باعث عالمی منڈی میں بڑھتی ہوئی تیل کی قیمتوں کا عوام پر بوجھ بڑھنے کا فوری نوٹس لیتے ہوئے وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی جانب سے ایک خصوصی ریلیف سکیم کا اجراء کر دیا گیا ہے.
وزیر اعظم نے سکیم کا اجراء کرتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ تیل کی قیمتوں میں…
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 13, 2026
It further added that the scheme would be implemented in Islamabad from the night between Monday and Tuesday, while it would take effect across Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, from the night between Wednesday and Thursday.
Read: Ministry seeks govt support for cross-subsidy
"Registration for the relief scheme began on Sunday. The registration process will be explained to the public through an awareness campaign," the PMO said.
PM Shehbaz thanked the provinces for cooperating in providing information on motorcycles, rickshaws and small cars for registration under the scheme.
The latest relief scheme is not the first subsidy introduced by the government in response to surging fuel prices. In March, the federal and provincial governments agreed on a technology-based framework for providing fuel subsidies, after petrol and diesel prices were sharply increased amid the Middle East conflict.
Rising oil prices
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, petroleum products constitute one of the country's largest import categories, making the economy highly vulnerable to changes in global crude oil prices.
Domestic refineries satisfy only part of national demand, while the remainder is met through imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Consequently, every increase in international oil prices raises Pakistan's import bill, pressures foreign exchange reserves, and contributes to inflation.
Global geopolitical developments continue to pose significant risks. International oil prices are influenced by decisions taken by OPEC+, conflicts in the Middle East, sanctions on oil-producing nations, and disruptions in critical shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Read more: Govt increases petrol price by Rs5.02, HSD by Rs5.28 per litre
At the height of the price surge in early April, petrol reached a record Rs458.40 per litre, after the government raised it by Rs137 in a single revision.
The federal government on July 17 announced that petroleum product prices would now be reviewed and notified on a daily basis, replacing the weekly pricing mechanism, as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran continue to drive volatility in global oil markets and raise concerns over fuel supplies.
The decision had come after the government had already shifted from fortnightly to weekly fuel price revisions following the first phase of the US-Iran conflict.
The move, however, drew criticism from transporters, businesses and opposition lawmakers, who argued that frequent price revisions would create uncertainty, drive up transport and freight costs, and make it difficult for businesses and consumers to plan expenses. Petrol pump owners also threatened a nationwide strike before suspending the protest after the government assured them their concerns would be addressed.
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