The federal government may extend Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Sasta Petrol scheme for another 10 months, with up to Rs500 billion potentially allocated from government resources to continue the fuel relief program.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik said the government was considering continuing the scheme despite financial pressures. Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, he said the government could reduce its own expenditures to arrange funding if the relief program is extended.
Under the existing scheme, eligible motorcyclists and owners of small vehicles can receive fuel relief of up to Rs100 per litre. The program was introduced to provide support to people facing higher fuel costs and rising living expenses.
According to the petroleum minister, more than six million eligible people have registered their motorcycles and vehicles under the scheme. He said nearly six million beneficiaries are motorcycle owners, with many of the registered motorcycles being up to 20 years old.
The figures indicate that a large portion of the registered beneficiaries are motorcycle users who rely on their vehicles for daily transportation. The government has linked the scheme with targeted relief for lower-income groups and owners of smaller vehicles.
Malik said the government remains committed to providing fuel relief even under difficult economic conditions. If the scheme continues, the government may allocate between Rs400 billion and Rs500 billion from its own resources over the proposed period.
The minister said the government could reduce its own spending to finance the program rather than adopting the fuel subsidy approach used in 2022. He indicated that the current mechanism would be handled differently if the relief program is extended.
The proposed extension would give eligible beneficiaries additional support against fuel costs at a time when international oil prices and geopolitical developments continue to create uncertainty in energy markets.
However, the extension and the proposed funding have not yet been presented as a final decision. The government would need to determine the financial requirements and approve the necessary arrangements before extending the scheme.
The Sasta Petrol scheme has attracted millions of registrations since its launch. The government has been using digital registration and verification mechanisms to identify eligible vehicle owners and provide targeted fuel relief.
If approved for another 10 months, the extension could provide continued support to millions of registered beneficiaries. The final duration, funding amount and implementation details are expected to depend on the government’s assessment of available resources and the financial requirements of the program.
Also read: Rs100 Petrol Relief Registration Process Explained
