The federal government is preparing a subsidized fuel program for motorcyclists and rickshaw drivers to reduce the burden from the latest petroleum price increase.
Petroleum Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh shared these details during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum. He explained that the initiative would help users of small vehicles, similar to a recent step taken by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
The price rise stemmed from regional conflicts and issues in global energy supply lines. A recent adjustment raised petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs55 per litre to address potential hoarding and keep supplies stable. The secretary noted that this change did not provide extra gains to oil marketing companies.
Fuel Stock Levels Remain Adequate for Now
Officials assured the committee that current reserves can meet demand in the short term:
- Petrol stocks last about 27 days
- Diesel supplies cover 21 days
- Jet fuel is available for around 14 days
- Crude oil reserves stand at 11 days
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG) holds for roughly 9 days
To maintain availability, the government has permitted imports of petroleum products that fall below the Euro 5 standard.
In a related session, the petrol monitoring committee—led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb—confirmed that fuel needs for March are fully covered. Plans extend supplies through mid-April, with efforts underway to stretch them closer to the end of the month. Authorities continue to watch stock levels closely to stop any hoarding.
LNG Disruptions Raise Concerns
Supplies of LNG from Qatar stopped on March 2, creating uncertainty for future deliveries. This has already cut gas flow to the power sector, which may force expensive spot market purchases ahead.
Lawmakers raised questions about the price hike during the committee session. The secretary defended it as a measure to control hoarding rather than a profit move for companies.
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The proposed subsidy targets daily commuters who rely heavily on motorcycles and rickshaws, many from low- and middle-income groups hit hardest by higher fuel costs. Details on the program’s scope, amount, and rollout timeline remain under discussion.
