Sindh announces Rs2,000 for bikers as part of fuel subsidy; Punjab makes public transportation free
The Sindh and Punjab governments announced relief measures on Friday, a day after the Centre announced an unprecedented increase of 43 per cent and 55pc in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), respectively, to cushion the impact of global oil price shocks amid the US-Israel war on Iran.
In a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced the Sindh government will provide motorcycle owners Rs2,000 in fuel subsidy under a scheme unveiled by the federal government a day earlier.
At the outset of the press conference, the chief minister, referring to the recent fuel hike, maintained that the government had to take “difficult decisions”.
“For three weeks, the prime minister did not increase the cost of fuel; however, the policy had both benefits and some harms,” CM Murad said, noting that the blanket subsidy was benefiting the “rich and poor alike”.
He recalled that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also highlighted the need for “targeted subsidies”.
He said the federal government, along with the provincial governments, held consultations and developed a “one-month regimen, which has four components,” he said.
Under one of the components, he said it was decided that motorcycle owners should be “shielded from the hike,” resulting in the Rs100 subsidy, which was announced a day earlier.
In that regard, the chief minister said that the provincial government will be providing registered motorcycle owners Rs2,000 per month as part of the fuel subsidy.
“The excise department has prepared an application,” he said, adding that once registered, the owners will receive the funds “between April 15-20” as targeted support for bikers.
He urged bike owners to get their vehicle registered “under their own name” so they may be able to avail the services.
“Go to the excise department’s website and check if your vehicle is registered by entering your CNIC number,” he said.
CM Murad added that the application will be available in three days.
Punjab announces free public transport
Meanwhile, the Punjab government announced that a free transportation facility would be provided to the people on public transport on intra-city routes across the province.
“Citizens will not have to purchase tickets while travelling on public transport — Orange Line Train, Metro Bus Service, Speedo Bus and Green Electric Bus,” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said in a statement.
She said it was a major relief package for the people of Punjab in view of the ongoing global crisis. She added that it was also part of the implementation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s national savings and austerity programme across the province.
The Punjab CM said the government had also decided to provide cash support for the protection of agriculture, food, and farmers.
“A subsidy of Rs100 per litre of diesel per acre will be provided to farmers. It has also been decided to provide a subsidy to motorcyclists — every registered bike owner will receive a subsidy of Rs100 on 20 litres,” she said.
The CM praised the prime minister for maintaining the supply and prices of petroleum products in Pakistan for one month despite the global crisis.
“By providing relief worth billions of rupees within a month, PM Shehbaz Sharif has made a sincere and strong effort to protect the public from hardships,” she said and added the premier had provided relief to the people despite the worst economic conditions.
“We will not leave the public alone in difficult times,” she declared.
She appealed to citizens to use public transport instead of private vehicles under the current extraordinary circumstances.
“Owing to the war, the entire world is facing a severe global economic crisis. Pakistan is being more affected due to its dependence on imported oil,” she added.
She ended with a promise that, as conditions improve, efforts would be made to relieve the public from economic burden.
More to follow.
