The federal government is set to launch a program offering low-cost petrol to bike owners, rickshaw drivers, and vehicles with engine capacities up to 800cc. Reports suggest that the government has requested data on registered bikes from all provinces, which will be linked to NADRA by the Excise and Taxes Department of Islamabad. Once cross-checked, the government will begin providing cheap petrol to the public. Balochistan Excise and Taxation Department has already provided data on 500,000 registered bikes, and Islamabad is currently evaluating the information to implement the scheme.
The government approved a subsidy of Rs. 50 per litre for the lower-income group last month. Musadik Masood Malik, the minister of state for petroleum, announced that the wealthy would be taxed an additional Rs. 100/litre for petrol, which would be used to offer subsidised petrol to low-income groups, making it more expensive for the rich and cheaper for the poor. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has requested a comprehensive plan from the government before releasing the next loan payment to Pakistan, expressing concerns about the program.