Sindh govt announces monthly Rs2,000 subsidy for motorcyclists amid rising petrol prices

In response to surging petrol prices and an ongoing energy crisis, the Sindh government has announced a monthly subsidy of Rs2,000 for registered motorcyclists across the province. Public transport and goods transport operators will also receive monthly subsidies ranging from Rs70,000 to Rs100,000. A day earlier, the government further increased petrol prices by Rs137 per litre to a record-high of Rs458.4. The new price of petrol is also far higher than the increase in the international market, as PM Shehbaz decided to increase the petroleum levy to a record Rs160.61 per litre on petrol. It was the second major increase in the fuel prices in less than a month after PM Shehbaz increased the diesel and petrol prices by Rs55 per litre last month. The cumulative increase in the petrol price within a month stands at 63%, and that of the high-speed diesel at 75%. Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Friday, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the subsidy aims to ease the burden on daily commuters as petrol would not be available at lower rates at fuel stations. He added that the application process would be operational within two to three days, and subsidies would be linked to national identity cards and registered motorcycles. Also Read: Oil tanker contractors threaten to halt operations after sharp fuel price hike The CM further stated that motorcycle transfers would now be free of charge, and owners could register their vehicles in their name. “A subsidy of Rs100 per litre will be provided, and the first transfers will be completed within 15 days. Each registered motorcyclist will receive Rs2,000 directly,” he added. Shah advised citizens to check their motorcycle registration on the Excise Department’s website and said that the subsidy is part of a targeted relief programme. He also noted support measures for small farmers, including a minimum wheat price of Rs3,500 per maund and a Rs1,500 per acre subsidy for farmers with up to 2 million acres, to offset losses caused by rising diesel prices. Payments to farmers will begin on April 6. CM Murad also said the province would independently administer the programme for a one-month trial period, following discussions on a third proposal. He clarified that the final plan comprises four components, with two administered by the provinces and one by the federal government, but funding will be provided to the provinces. Read More: Petrol price hike sparks NA protests, JI announces nationwide action He highlighted that Sindh has 6.7 million registered motorcycles, many of which are not registered in the actual owner’s name. “We decided that Rs100 per motorcyclist will be provided as subsidy,” he said. The chief minister also stressed coordination with the federal government, noting that provincial leaders participated in a historic meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss energy imports and subsidy measures. He explained that while subsidies were initially extended broadly, IMF guidance advised targeting relief toward those most affected by rising fuel costs. Shah added that the long deliberations led to the decision to provide targeted subsidies to motorcyclists, small farmers, and transport operators to alleviate the economic impact of rising petroleum prices. Punjab, Islamabad announce free public transport Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that public transport across all cities in the province will be made free of charge. Under the decision, passengers will not be required to purchase tickets on services including the Orange Line Train, Metro Bus, Speedo Bus, and Green Electro Bus. In addition, the chief minister announced direct financial support for the agriculture sector. Farmers will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre of diesel per acre, while motorcyclists will also benefit from a subsidy of Rs100 on 20 litres of fuel for each registered bike owner. Punjab CM praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for maintaining petroleum product supply and prices for a month despite global pressures, saying that “by providing billions of rupees in relief, the prime minister has made a sincere effort to protect the public from hardship”. Furthermore, the public transport in the capital will also be made free of cost for the next 30 days, on the directives of the prime minister, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi wrote in a post on X. On the directions of the Prime Minister, all public transport in Islamabad will be made free of cost for the general public for the next 30 days, starting tomorrow. The Ministry of Interior will bear the expenditure of Rs. 350 million for this public relief initiative. Thank you… — Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) April 3, 2026 According to the minister, the initiative will take effect from Saturday and is aimed at providing relief to the general public amid rising economic pressures. He added that the Ministry of Interior will bear the cost of the scheme, which is estimated at Rs350 million.

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