PM Shehbaz launches digital subsidy for transporters to ease inflation impact
- Meeting told that Pakistan maintains "adequate stocks" of petroleum products to meet national requirements
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced the formal commencement of a digital subsidy programme aimed at providing immediate financial relief to the transport sector amid rising regional tensions and global oil price volatility.
Presiding over a high-level review meeting in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz confirmed that relief funds are now being disbursed directly via digital wallets to owners of public transport and goods-carrying vehicles. He emphasised that this transparent system covers buses, wagons, and trucks to ensure the supply chain and public mobility remain affordable for the common man.
“Providing relief to the economically vulnerable is the government’s top priority,” the prime minister stated. “We will not leave our people alone in these testing times. Every penny saved through our national austerity and simplicity drive will be redirected toward public welfare.”
During the session, the premier was briefed on the implementation of these relief measures following the recent hike in petroleum prices. Officials assured the meeting that Pakistan maintains “adequate stocks” of petroleum products to meet national requirements despite the tense regional security situation.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Dr Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, and Ali Pervaiz Malik, along with Special Assistant to PM Talha Burki and other senior officials.
Today’s meeting comes a day after Shehbaz announced that the government would reduce the petroleum levy on petrol by Rs80 per litre for one month, a day after a sharp increase in fuel prices, in a move aimed at easing pressure on consumers.
In a televised address to the nation, PM Shehbaz had said the reduction would bring the petrol price down to Rs378 per litre, effective from 12am (Saturday) while the price of diesel would remain unchanged at Rs520 per litre.
He had said Pakistan was passing through a challenging period amid a war in the Middle East that had driven up global oil prices, with the country feeling the impact of rising energy costs.