Pakistan announces ₹50 per liter subsidy on petrol
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Islamabad, Mar 20: Cash-starved Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday announced that his government will provide subsidized petrol to low-income people to offset the impact of raging inflation. A subsidy of ₹ 50 per liter was part of a relief package and it would be available to those who own motorcycles, rickshaws, 800cc cars, and other small vehicles, Sharif told a meeting held to review the relief package for the vulnerable groups.
“The program to help the people will be implemented soon and a comprehensive strategy is being formulated on the issue,” he said, adding that the government was committed to assisting the poor despite economic difficulties.
He noted that motorcycles, rickshaws, and small cars are primarily used by low-income individuals, and the subsidy would provide relief to those in need. Earlier, The Express Tribune newspaper reported that the government was working on a ₹ 120 billion cross-subsidy plan to relieve the poor who have motorbikes but can't afford the costly fuel. It said that the government plans include charging the rich, who own expensive cars, ₹ 15 extra per liter of petrol to finance the cost of fuel subsidies for the poor. Citing sources, the paper said that Sharif had tasked officials to develop a mechanism for providing subsidized petrol to poor motorcycle owners.
One liter of petrol is being sold at around ₹ 273, which is a huge burden for people who use motorbikes or small vehicles for traveling. The measures by the government would be a great relief for such people. Already the government has also announced to provide free flour to the needy in the holy month of Ramadan, starting from March 23.