How to get the petrol relief package – eligibility and criteria

KARACHI: The Sindh government on Friday announced a petrol relief package following a massive increase in petroleum product prices.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the Excise and Taxation Department has waived motorcycle ownership transfer fees.

He also announced that Rs2,000 in financial assistance will be provided for each registered motorcycle in the province. The amount will be transferred directly to the motorcyclist’s bank account.

Explaining the procedure, the chief minister said that motorcyclists will need to register through a mobile application developed by the Excise Department.

Applicants will be required to enter their CNIC and bank account IBAN number. If the IBAN is not available, they can provide their bank account details instead.

He added that motorcycles not registered in the owner’s name must be transferred within 15 days to qualify for the subsidy. The payments are expected to be disbursed between April 15 and April 20.

According to the chief minister, there are approximately 6.7 million registered motorcycles in Sindh.

Murad Ali Shah also announced support for small farmers cultivating less than 25 acres of land. They will receive Rs1,500 per acre as assistance to cover additional costs such as threshing. Around 336,000 small farmers are expected to benefit from this subsidy.

In addition, the government has introduced financial support for the transport sector. Registered buses will receive Rs100,000 per month, while trucks will receive between Rs70,000 and Rs80,000 per month, depending on their size. Only vehicles that are operational and tax-compliant will be eligible.

The chief minister further announced a separate subsidy for passenger buses operating both intercity and intracity routes.

These buses will receive Rs140,000 per month, in addition to the previously announced Rs100,000 support. However, this additional subsidy will not apply to goods transport vehicles.

He emphasized that bus operators benefiting from the subsidy will be required not to increase fares.

Murad Ali Shah stated that these measures are being introduced as a temporary relief initiative for one month to ease the burden on citizens amid rising fuel prices.

Meanwhile, Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, on Friday strongly condemned the massive increase in petroleum prices, terming it a “petrol bomb” dropped on the public by the government.

He also announced the launch of a nationwide protest movement against the hike, urging citizens—especially the youth—to come out and raise their voices for change.