Key Takeaways
- Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik announced the potential extension of the Sasta Petrol scheme.
- The scheme could receive Rs. 400 billion to Rs. 500 billion from government resources if extended.
- Over six million people have registered for the scheme, benefiting mainly lower-income motorcycle owners.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik has stated that the government may continue Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Sasta Petrol scheme for an additional 10 months. This decision comes despite challenging economic conditions.
Malik, speaking at a ceremony in Lahore, indicated that the government is willing to allocate between Rs. 400 billion and Rs. 500 billion from its own resources to finance the scheme if it is extended.
The minister emphasized that the government would continue to provide fuel relief, stating that the program has already reduced the effective petrol cost by up to Rs. 100 per liter for motorcyclists and owners of small vehicles.
According to Malik, more than six million eligible individuals have registered their motorcycles and vehicles under the program, with nearly six million beneficiaries owning motorcycles that are up to 20 years old. This suggests that the scheme is primarily benefiting lower-income riders.
In response to potential concerns about the sustainability of the scheme, Malik clarified that the government would not repeat the fuel subsidy approach used by the previous administration in 2022. Instead, if the current relief program needs to continue, the government would cut its own budgetary spending to cover the cost.
The minister’s comments come as the government seeks to balance economic pressures with the need to support lower-income citizens. The Sasta Petrol scheme has been praised for its targeted approach, with benefits reaching a significant number of eligible individuals.
Malik’s announcement highlights the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of its citizens, particularly those in the lower-income bracket, through targeted relief measures.
The government would continue providing fuel relief despite difficult economic conditions and could reduce its own expenditures to finance the scheme if necessary.
Ali Pervez Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum
