Sindh government announces monthly Rs2,000 subsidy for motorcyclists amid rising petrol prices

KARACHI:

The Sindh and Punjab governments are announcing relief measures on Friday, a day after the government further increased petrol prices by Rs137 per liter to a record high of Rs458.4. The new price of petrol is also far higher than the rise in the international market when Prime Minister Shehbaz decided to hike the oil tax to a record Rs 160.61. per liters of petrol.

It was the second major hike in fuel prices in less than a month after PM Shehbaz hiked diesel and petrol prices by Rs55 per liter last month. The cumulative increase in the price of petrol within a month is 63% and that of high-speed diesel 75%.

Sindh announces monthly subsidy for motorcyclists

In response to rising petrol prices and an ongoing energy crisis, the Sindh government has announced a monthly subsidy of Rs 2,000 for registered motorcyclists across the province. Public transport and freight transport operators will also receive monthly subsidies ranging from Rs70,000 to Rs100,000.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Friday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the subsidy is aimed at easing the burden on daily commuters as petrol would not be available at lower prices at petrol stations. He added that the application process would be operational within two to three days and grants would be linked to national identity cards and registered motorcycles.

The CM further stated that motorcycle transfers would now be free and owners could register their vehicles in their name. “A subsidy of Rs 100 per liter will be provided and the first transfers will be completed within 15 days. Each registered motorcyclist will receive Rs2,000 directly,” he added.

Shah advised citizens to check their motorcycle registration on the Department of Revenue website and said the grant is part of a targeted relief program. He also noted support measures for small farmers, including a minimum wheat price of Rs 3,500. per mound and a Rs1,500 per acre subsidy to farmers with up to 2 million acres, to offset losses caused by rising diesel prices. Payments to farmers will begin on April 6.

CM Murad also said the province would independently administer the program for a trial period of one month after discussions on a third proposal. He clarified that the final plan consists of four components, two of which are managed by the provinces and one by the federal government, but the funding will be given to the provinces.

He highlighted that Sindh has 6.7 million registered motorcycles, many of which are not registered in the name of the actual owner. “We decided that Rs100 per motorcyclist will be provided as subsidy,” he said.

The chief minister also emphasized coordination with the federal government and noted that provincial leaders attended a historic meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss energy imports and subsidy measures. He explained that while the subsidies were initially extended broadly, IMF guidance advised targeting relief to those most affected by rising fuel costs.

Shah added that the long deliberations led to the decision to provide targeted subsidies to motorcyclists, small farmers and transport operators to mitigate the economic impact of rising oil prices.

Punjab, Islamabad announces free public transport

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that public transport across all cities in the province will be free.

As per the decision, passengers will not be required to buy tickets on services including Orange Line Train, Metro Bus, Speedo Bus and Green Electro Bus.

In addition, the Chief Minister announced direct financial support to the agriculture sector. Farmers will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per liter of diesel per hectare, while motorcyclists will also benefit from a subsidy of Rs100 on 20 liters of fuel for every registered bike owner.

CM Punjab praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for maintaining the supply of petroleum products and prices for a month despite global pressure and said that “by providing billions of rupees in relief, the Prime Minister has made a sincere effort to protect the public from hardship”.

Furthermore, public transport in the capital will also be made free for the next 30 days, on the Prime Minister’s instructions, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi wrote on the post on X.

According to the minister, the initiative will come into force from Saturday (tomorrow) and aims to provide relief to the general public amid mounting economic pressure.

He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs will bear the cost of the scheme, which is estimated at Rs350 million.