Shehbaz Sharif Launches Nationwide Petrol Subsidy for Low-Income Drivers

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a targeted fuel relief scheme on September 13, 2026, to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices on low-income commuters. The program provides a subsidy of Rs100 per litre for owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Chingchis, and vehicles with engine capacities up to 800cc. Monthly limits are set at 20 litres for two- and three-wheelers and 30 litres for cars up to 800cc. To prevent fraud, eligibility is limited to motorcycles up to 15 years old and cars up to 20 years old.

The scheme began with a pilot in Islamabad on the night of September 14-15 and expanded nationwide, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, at 11:59 p.m. on September 16. Beneficiaries register by sending their CNIC and vehicle details via SMS to 9771, a service the prime minister later ordered to be free of charge. Once registered, users request fuel tokens by texting TOK to the same number.

The initiative follows a period of price volatility where petrol reached Rs380.24 per litre and diesel hit Rs409.42 per litre by September 15. The Government of Pakistan estimates the scheme will benefit 11.8 million people at a monthly fiscal cost of approximately Rs24.6 billion. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar directed the State Bank of Pakistan to settle payments to participating petrol stations within 24 hours to ensure smooth implementation.