The Sindh government declared a petrol relief package on Friday in response to the sharp rise in petroleum product prices. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, speaking at a press conference in Karachi, revealed several measures aimed at easing the financial burden on citizens.
One key initiative includes waiving motorcycle ownership transfer fees through the Excise and Taxation Department. Additionally, Rs2,000 will be provided as direct financial assistance to each registered motorcyclist in the province. This amount will be transferred straight to the beneficiary’s bank account.
To avail the relief, motorcyclists must register via a mobile application developed by the Excise Department. Applicants are required to submit their CNIC and bank account IBAN; if the IBAN is unavailable, standard bank account details can be provided instead. Motorcycles not registered in the owner’s name must be transferred within 15 days to qualify for the subsidy. The payments are slated for disbursement between April 15 and April 20. The chief minister noted that Sindh has roughly 6.7 million registered motorcycles.
In a significant development for the agricultural sector, small farmers cultivating less than 25 acres will receive Rs1,500 per acre to help cover additional expenses such as threshing. Approximately 336,000 small farmers are expected to benefit from this assistance.
The government is also providing financial support to the transport sector. Registered buses will receive Rs100,000 monthly, while trucks will get between Rs70,000 and Rs80,000 per month depending on their size. Eligibility requires that vehicles be operational and compliant with tax regulations.
Furthermore, passenger buses operating on both intercity and intracity routes will be granted an additional subsidy of Rs140,000 per month, supplementing the earlier Rs100,000 support. However, this extra aid does not extend to goods transport vehicles. The chief minister stressed that bus operators benefiting from this subsidy must refrain from increasing fares during the relief period.
Murad Ali Shah clarified that these measures are temporary, designed to provide relief for one month amid escalating fuel costs.
Meanwhile, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, condemned the steep petrol price hike, describing it as a “petrol bomb” inflicted on the public by the government. He announced the launch of a nationwide protest movement against the increase, calling on citizens, particularly the youth, to mobilize and demand change.
