The Sindh government has initiated the registration process for a Rs2,000 petrol subsidy aimed at eligible motorcyclists as part of a wider relief package responding to soaring fuel costs driven by the Middle East crisis. This measure comes as Pakistan grapples with escalating fuel prices amid a deteriorating global energy landscape.
In light of the intensifying US-Israel conflict involving Iran, global energy prices have surged sharply, prompting various governments to implement emergency strategies to manage fuel consumption. Both federal and provincial authorities have introduced austerity measures and targeted subsidies, including reductions in fuel quotas for officials, support for transport sectors, and direct financial aid for farmers and motorcyclists.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that motorcyclists can now register for the subsidy via the Excise Department’s online portal. Additionally, procedures for ownership transfer and verification have been simplified to expedite the process. The subsidy covers 20 litres of fuel and will be disbursed directly into the bank accounts of verified applicants for the month of April.
Applicants can apply by following the outlined steps on the Excise Department’s website, where they can also monitor their registration status. The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of transferring motorcycle ownership if the vehicle is not registered in the applicant’s name, noting that the fee for ownership transfer has been waived to facilitate public participation.
To support the registration campaign, Excise Department offices will operate extended hours, including weekends, to accommodate applicants. With approximately 6.7 million motorcycles registered in Sindh, the government assured that the Rs2,000 subsidy would be distributed in April. However, only one subsidy will be granted per individual, regardless of the number of motorcycles registered under their name.
CM Shah urged citizens to open bank accounts in their own names to ensure smooth direct transfers of subsidy funds. He explained that the government opted to provide financial relief directly to the public instead of distributing funds through transporters, aiming to target assistance to those most in need. Discussions with transporters resulted in their commitment not to raise fares, with the government warning that any fare hikes would be considered an offense subject to action.
This petrol subsidy forms part of Sindh’s comprehensive emergency relief package amid rising global energy prices. Alongside the motorcyclist subsidy, the government has also announced support for farmers and transporters. Registered motorcyclists will receive Rs2,000 for April, while farmers owning up to 25 acres will be granted Rs1,500 per acre for a single month, with the farm subsidy program commencing on April 8.
The package further includes monthly financial assistance for various transport sectors: intra-city transport will receive Rs240,000 per month, wagons Rs230,000, pick-up vans up to Rs60,000, buses up to Rs1.2 million depending on routes, two-axle trucks Rs70,000, and heavy trucks Rs80,000 monthly. Additionally, public transport fares will remain frozen, and fuel allocations for official vehicles will be cut by 50% for two months as part of the austerity measures.
