Rs2,000 fuel relief to help low-income people cover expenses for food, milk, eggs: minister

Low-income Pakistanis who depend on motorcycles, rickshaws and small cars for daily commute will receive targeted subsidy under the government’s fuel relief scheme, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik said on Tuesday.

Under the scheme, eligible motorcycle users will get a Rs100-per-litre reduction on up to 20 litres of petrol each month. This means they can receive a maximum relief of Rs2,000 per month. Small-car users will get relief on up to 30 litres, with their monthly benefit capped at Rs3,000.

Dr Musadik said that the government targeted the scheme at people whose livelihoods and essential travel depended on fuel rather than reducing prices for every consumer. He said delivery riders were among those hit hardest by rising petrol costs. Their delivery routes had remained largely unchanged, but the amount they were spending on fuel had increased significantly.

For a low-income rider, he said, the Rs2,000 monthly assistance could help cover basic household needs such as food, milk and eggs. The minister also gave the example of a woman who drives a Qingqi rickshaw to provide for her family. He said the monthly fuel assistance could help her pay her child’s school fee.

He said another potential beneficiary drives an 800cc car to work at a factory, while his wife uses the same vehicle to take their children to school. The family would qualify for up to Rs3,000 in monthly fuel relief.