Government Approves Rs2,000 Monthly Relief for Motorcycle Riders Again
ISLAMABAD (Qudrat Roznama) – After a staggering increase in petroleum product prices, the government has apparently approved a monthly compensation of approximately Rs2,000 for motorcycle riders as a balm. According to a report by Express Tribune, this relief scheme will initially be for 3 months, with its extension conditional on the Middle East situation. However, amid current high prices, this Rs2,000 relief amounts to only 5 litres of petrol per month, while public transport and small vehicle users remain deprived of this relief, which will not reduce inflationary pressure.
Despite fiscal space, Govt did not reduce petroleum levy!
The government has decided to offer a paltry monthly compensation to motorcyclists, as the finance ministry has again turned down a suggestion by some cabinet ministers to cut petroleum levy and utilise a Rs430 billion…
— Shahbaz Rana (@81ShahbazRana) September 13, 2026
It has been reported that the government is currently collecting Rs106 per litre, or 28 percent, tax on petrol and Rs101 per litre, or 25 percent, on diesel. While the public suffers on one hand, strange figures of government stubbornness have emerged on the other. The Ministry of Petroleum had proposed that the shortfall be covered by a levy through an emergency fund of Rs430 billion, but the Ministry of Finance refused, citing the IMF as justification.
It has been learned that out of the Rs389 billion emergency funds from the last fiscal year, Rs276 billion was spent and Rs113 billion was saved. An additional Rs100 billion was collected under the petroleum levy. Overall, Rs213 billion was available that could have been used for relief, but cutting the public’s pockets was preferred instead. Ahead of Jamaat-e-Islami’s expected long march on September 20, this Rs2,000 announcement is being seen as an attempt to reduce political pressure.
