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

Two, three-wheelers registered after January 1, 2006, would be eligible for registration SCREENGRAB Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate inclusion of 20-year-old motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws in the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Friday. According to the PMO's statement on X, the prime minister had issued 'special directives' to provide further relief to the public under the scheme. وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے پرائم منسٹر فیول ریلیف سکیم میں عوام کو مزید سہولت فراہم کرنے کی خصوصی ہدایت کر دی. وزیراعظم فیول ریلیف سکیم میں 20 سال پرانی موٹر سائیکلوں، رکشوں اور چنگ چی رکشوں کو فی الفور شامل کرنے کی ہدایت، یکم جنوری 2006ء کے بعد رجسٹرڈ تمام موٹر سائیکلیں،… — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 18, 2026 The statement further added that all motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws registered after January 1, 2006, would be eligible for registration in the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme. 'Individuals operating 20-year-old motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi will also be able to benefit from the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme,' the PMO said. Prime Minister's Fuel Relief Scheme The Prime Minister's Fuel Relief Scheme, announced on September 13 and rolled out across the country at midnight on September 16 amid a continuous rise in fuel prices due to a war in the Gulf, provides a Rs100-per-litre petrol subsidy to eligible motorcycles, rickshaws, other two- and three-wheelers, and cars of up to 800cc 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 The prime minister directed the establishment of facilitation desks comprising administration officials, volunteers and petrol pump staff to assist citizens in easily obtaining the subsidy. Read: Fuel relief scheme to go nationwide at midnight tomorrow He directed that personnel deployed at the facilitation desks should guide eligible citizens and provide them with all possible assistance in registration and other necessary procedures. PM Shehbaz also asked the relevant authorities to remain proactive in creating public awareness about the scheme. Targeted fuel relief scheme to benefit low-income motorists Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik said the Prime Minister's Fuel Relief Scheme had been designed primarily to support low-income citizens, including delivery riders, rickshaw drivers and families dependent on motorcycles and small cars. the minister said eligible motorcycle users would receive Rs100 per litre in fuel relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month, providing maximum monthly assistance of Rs2,000. Meanwhile, owners of small cars would be eligible for relief on up to 30 litres of petrol, translating into Rs3,000 in monthly assistance, he added. The minister observed the targeted initiative was aimed at cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices on people who rely on motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles for their livelihoods and essential daily travel. Read more: JI announces Sept 20 long march on Islamabad over petroleum levy He said delivery riders were among those hit hardest by rising fuel prices, as they continued to cover the same distances while their fuel expenses had increased significantly. 'Rs2,000 can make a significant difference to a low-income delivery rider's household,' the minister said, adding that the amount could help families meet basic expenses such as food, milk and eggs. He also cited the example of a woman who drives a Qingqi rickshaw to support her family, saying the monthly fuel relief could help her pay her child's school fee. 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. Also read: 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.