The federal government has unveiled plans to introduce a relief package aimed at offering subsidized petrol to motorcyclists and rickshaw drivers nationwide through a mobile application. This initiative is designed to support economically vulnerable groups, especially amid rising inflation affecting two- and three-wheeler users.
Under the proposed scheme, eligible beneficiaries will be able to purchase petrol at discounted rates based on a predetermined quota. The exact quota, likely to be set at 15 litres, will be linked to the vehicle’s registration number and the user’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC). However, the final quota limit will be decided by the relevant cabinet committee.
In a significant development, the subsidy will be managed via a dedicated mobile app system. Separate applications will be created for consumers and petrol station operators. Retailers will receive mobile devices preloaded with the necessary software, while consumers will use their own app to generate digital vouchers. These vouchers will be scanned or manually entered by petrol pump staff to confirm eligibility and quota availability before dispensing fuel accordingly.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the Petroleum Division, and the Ministry of IT have collaborated to finalize the application system. Multiple implementation options are still under review, with final approval pending from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. There is also potential for the program to be expanded in the future to cover additional vehicle categories.
Notably, this relief package comes after a recent fuel price hike following the Iran war. On 7 March 2026, petrol prices were increased by Rs55 per litre, reaching Rs321.17 per litre, while diesel rose to Rs335.86 per litre. The new subsidy scheme aims to alleviate the financial burden on motorcyclists and rickshaw drivers affected by these increases.
