Sindh announces Rs2,000 for bikers as part of fuel subsidy; Punjab, Islamabad make public transportation free

The Sindh and Punjab governments announced a host of 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.

The Sindh government also announced support for small-scale farmers and transporters. Meanwhile, the Punjab government said it was making public transport free, introducing a targeted monthly subsidy for transporters, a diesel subsidy for wheat-growing farmers and a subsidy for motorcyclists.

At the same time, public transport in the federal capital was also made free for the next 30 days, starting from Saturday.

Sindh announces fuel subsidy for motorcyclists

In a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced the Sindh government will provide motorcyclists Rs2,000 as part of a 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 advantages and disadvantages,” 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”.

Under one of the components, he said it was decided that motorcyclists 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.

The chief minister also announced support for small-scale farmers, stating that farmers with land less than 25 acres will be given Rs1,500 per acre. He expressed faith that the subsidy will be able to “compensate for the cost of diesel”.

“We can begin the transfers from tomorrow,” he added.

Detailing the third component of the targeted subsidy, CM Murad said that the provinces, in consultation with the Centre, had decided on relief for public transport and goods transport as well, of up to Rs100,000.

He said the scheme will be administered by the federal government and implemented nationwide “to provide support for smaller provinces”.

As for public transport in the province, the chief minister said that authorities have been directed to keep the charges unchanged, “whether inter-city or intra-city”.

However, he added that the directive did not extend to ride-hailing applications and taxis. The chief minister vowed that the government “will ensure that public transport fares remain the same despite the fuel hike”.

He also announced that railway fares will remain unchanged across the country, with the cost to be borne by the federal government.

Punjab makes public transportation free, announces fuel subsidy for motoryclists

Meanwhile, the Punjab government announced that free public transport would be provided to the people 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.

In a separate post, CM Maryam announced a targeted monthly subsidy of Rs70,000 for goods transport vehicles, Rs80,000 for large transport vehicles, and Rs100,00 for public transport buses.

Taking to X, the Punjab chief minister said, “In light of the surge in international oil prices driven by ongoing global crises and conflict, pressure on domestic fuel costs has become unavoidable.

“To mitigate this impact, Punjab has introduced a targeted monthly subsidy: Rs70,000 for registered goods transport vehicles, Rs80,000 for large transport vehicles, and Rs100,000 for public service buses,” she added.

She called on transporters across Punjab to “act responsibly”.

Punjab CM added that she will be “closely” monitoring the situation to “ensure that the full benefit of this subsidy is passed on to the public”.

She also said that all wheat-growing farmers in Punjab with landholdings of up to 25 acres would receive a diesel subsidy of 10 litres per acre at Rs 150 per litre.

“I stand firmly with each one of you and am personally overseeing the implementation of this subsidy to ensure it remains transparent, effective, and reaches every deserving farmer without delay. Our farmers are the backbone of Punjab. I will always stand by you, protecting your rights and strengthening your livelihoods,” she said.

She also said that motorcycle owners in the province could now get 20 litres of petrol per month at a discounted rate of Rs 100 per litre. “In addition to that, now there will be no charges on the registration or transfer of any motorbike in Punjab,” she said.

Free public transport in Islamabad

In addition, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a post on X that, on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all public transport in Islamabad would be made free of cost for the next 30 days, starting Saturday.

“The Ministry of Interior will bear the expenditure of Rs 350 million for this public relief initiative,” he said.