Pakistan unveils fuel relief scheme as oil prices rise

Islamabad, Sep 13 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced a special relief scheme for users of motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles amid a surge in petroleum prices triggered by the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

"In this hour of difficulty, we will not leave the public alone," Sharif said according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office.

Under the scheme, users of two- and three-wheelers will get a subsidy of PKR 100 per litre on up to 20 litres of petrol per month, whereas owners of small vehicles, up to 800cc, will receive the same subsidy on up to 30 litres of petrol per month.

Petrol prices in Pakistan are currently hovering above PKR 370 per litre, with the rate fluctuating amid the rise in global oil prices.

While launching the scheme, Sharif said that the government is fully aware of the burden being placed on the public due to the increase in oil prices.

The scheme will come into effect in Islamabad from the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, and across Pakistan from the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

Registration for the scheme began on Sunday, and details of the procedure will be communicated to the public through an awareness campaign, the statement said.

Sharif thanked the provinces for cooperating in providing information on motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles for registration under the scheme.

The prime minister's announcement comes amid growing criticism over rising petroleum prices linked to the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of petroleum trade passed during peacetime, has remained largely blocked amid the US-Iran conflict, disrupting a key route for global oil supplies.

Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have tightened their grip around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea, choking another key route for global petroleum trade.

Sunday’s announcement also comes after the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami party threatened further protests to press the government to reduce petroleum prices.