ISLAMABAD (TNS) Despite the crisis in the Middle East, the government has taken on an additional burden. The Prime Minister tried to save the people from hardships by providing billions of rupees in relief, and provided relief to the people in the worst economic situation.
\nThe Prime Minister’s announcement of a reduction in the price of petrol in the global crisis is a representation of public aspirations. In view of the public difficulties, the Prime Minister has announced a reduction in the price of petrol by Rs 80 per liter, which has been implemented from April 4, 2026.
\nRemember that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stopped Pakistan Railways from increasing fares, while on the other hand, the Minister of Communications has suspended the quarterly increase in toll fees. After this decision of the government, the situation of petrol prices is as follows:
\nNew price: The price of petrol per liter has been reduced from Rs 458 to Rs 378.
\nPetroleum Levy: This reduction has been made mainly through a reduction of Rs 80 in the petroleum levy. According to the Prime Minister, this relief will be effective for the next month. There has been no reduction in the price of diesel at present, and it remains at Rs 520 per liter. In his address to the nation, the Prime Minister mentioned the following motivations and additional measures behind this decision:
\nGlobal crisis: Due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, oil prices have increased rapidly in the global market, which has also affected Pakistan.
\nAusterity drive: Federal cabinet members have decided not to take their 6 months\u2019 salaries for public relief.
\nPublic relief: The Prime Minister says that the government has made every effort to reduce the burden on the public and farmers despite limited resources. This decision came a few days ago, the government had increased the price of petrol by a record Rs 137, which has been partially withdrawn after public protests and pressure. The Prime Minister said that once again, I am addressing you in difficult circumstances, and oil prices are skyrocketing in the entire region. The unprecedented increase in oil prices has also engulfed Pakistan; every effort should be made to use national resources for the people. Pakistan has also been engulfed by the rising oil prices. Oil prices have increased sharply in the global markets, inflation has broken the back of the powerful economies of the world, and Pakistan is also being badly affected by this. I know very well how the common man lives. In three weeks, a subsidy of 129 billion was given from national resources. The doomsday storm was not allowed to reach the people through subsidies. I pray that the war will end as soon as possible, and peace will be established. Field Marshal Ishaq Dar is making efforts regarding the ceasefire. National resources are limited. I am grateful to the President of the country, who brought together the national leadership, the Chief Ministers of all four provinces were called to a meeting, full consultations were held in the President’s Office and the Prime Minister’s House. The government has taken steps to provide public relief in the face of the prices of petroleum products, is aware of the problems faced by the public, and, as per the announcements made yesterday, a subsidy will be given to motorcyclists. Shahbaz Sharif said that the fares of economy class in trains will not be increased, and the government has tried its best to use national resources to reduce public problems. A subsidy of Rs 100 per liter will be given to motorcyclists. It has also been decided to give a subsidy to freight and transport vehicles, and a subsidy of Rs 100,000 per month will be given to public transport buses. The Prime Minister further said that it has been decided to reduce the levy on petrol by Rs 80; the new price will be Rs 378. The reduction in the levy will be for at least one month, while instructions have been given to deposit 6 months’ salaries of federal cabinet members in the government treasury. The Prime Minister of Pakistan\u2019s key steps to provide relief to the people.
\nThe government has already provided substantial relief to consumers, and fuel prices have been kept stable through a subsidy of about Rs 129 billion. This relief was made possible through a reduction in the development budget and savings in other expenses, which shows that the government is committed to protecting the people from external shocks.<\/p>\n
Despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the growing global fuel crisis, on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has announced the following key steps to provide relief to the people:
\nFree Public Transport:
\nAll government public transport in Islamabad has been made completely free for the next 30 days. This measure is starting from April 4, 2026, and its expenses will be borne by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.<\/p>\n
Relief in Punjab:
\nA similar facility has been provided in all major cities of Punjab, where public transport will remain free for one month.
\nPrices of petroleum products:
\nDespite the increase in global oil prices, the Prime Minister has decided not to put an additional burden on the public and has directed the use of the money earned from saving measures for public relief.
\nTargeted Petrol Subsidy:
\nWork is underway rapidly on a scheme to provide petrol at a reduced price for motorcycle and rickshaw owners, under which 20 to 30 liters of cheap petrol will be provided monthly through digital vouchers.
\nAusterity campaign:
\nThe government has taken strict steps at the official level to save petroleum products, including a 50% cut in fuel for government vehicles and the grounding of non-essential government vehicles.
\nIt should be remembered that in these difficult times, the government’s top priority is to protect the weak and middle class from the effects of the global crisis.
\nThe Prime Minister formed a committee in difficult times, which took timely decisions, which did not allow fuel supply to be disrupted, and fuel prices have been kept stable through subsidies of about Rs 129 billion. The government will bear the additional burden of Rs 6 billion by June 30.
\nThe government has made every effort to protect the people, and it has increased the price under agreements and promises. Due to the crisis in the Middle East, the government has increased the price of petrol by Rs 137.24 and diesel by Rs 184.49 per liter. The price of diesel in the world market has increased to more than $ 250 per barrel,
\nThe government has not allowed austerity and cost-cutting to burden the people; the supply of oil mainly comes from the Strait of Hormuz, and an energy emergency has been imposed even in countries that have strategic reserves.
\nRailway Minister Hanif Abbasi says that the Prime Minister has won the hearts of passengers in difficult times. This is a gift for the people; railway travel will remain within the reach of everyone. Railway officials say that the fares of all passenger and freight trains will not be increased. Economy and AC classes in passenger trains, while there will be no increase in the fares of freight trains. It should be remembered that, on the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the quarterly increase in toll fees has been suspended. According to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, orders have been issued to the NHA to withdraw the notification on the instructions of the Prime Minister. He added that in the current situation, no further burden can be placed on the citizens because they are already facing difficulties due to the increase in the prices of petrol and diesel.
\nOn the other hand, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced to make public transport running in all cities free. After the announcement, passengers of the Orange Line train, Metro Bus Service, and Speedo Bus will no longer have to buy tickets. Citizens will not have to buy tickets while traveling in the Green Electro Bus either. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also announced a subsidy of Rs 100 per liter of diesel per acre to farmers. The Punjab Chief Minister said that the people will not be left alone in difficult circumstances. In unusual circumstances, citizens should use public transport instead of personal vehicles. The world is suffering from a global economic crisis as a result of the war. As the situation improves, the people will be relieved of the economic burden. On the other hand, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also announced on social media that public transport in Islamabad has been made free for one month. The Interior Minister said that, on the instructions of the Prime Minister, all public transport in Islamabad has been made free, and the Ministry of Interior will bear the burden of Rs 350 million for free transport. Moreover, the Sindh Chief Minister has announced to give Rs 2,000 every month to motorcycle riders as a subsidy. Murad Ali Shah said that some important decisions were taken in the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The situation in the region is very tense. The Prime Minister and the Field Marshal are making every effort to end the war.Considering the current situation, we have taken several steps under which targeted subsidies should be given. It was decided that subsidies should be given to motorcyclists. There are 6.6 million registered motorcycles in Sindh. Every motorcyclist will be given Rs 2,000 every month from April. They will get Rs 100 for each liter based on 20 liters. By entering their identity card number in the app, the motorcycle number will be available. After 15 days, the money will be transferred to the motorcyclists. However, the money will be given to verified motorcyclists. There will be no increase in lower-class railway fares. In the first phase, this subsidy will be given only in the month of April. Moreover, a historic increase in the prices of petroleum products was recorded on Thursday, which is causing severe anxiety among the public. The sharp increase in petroleum prices indicates a very critical turning point in the country’s ongoing economic downturn. The government announced a huge increase in petrol prices of 43 percent, after which the new price of petrol was set at Rs 458.40 per liter, while diesel prices were increased by 55 percent, which is now Rs 520.35 per liter. The sharp increase in prices was made in view of the rising oil prices in the global market due to the Iran war, which has shaken the country’s already stressed economy. In addition, the federal government will also give Rs 100,000 to passenger buses. It should be remembered that inflation has increased due to the increase in the prices of petroleum products. According to the document, all types of transport in the country have become expensive by 12.14 percent in one month, mechanical services of vehicles have become expensive by 1.29 percent per month, and 8.92 percent per year. It has been reported that oil marketing companies recorded a significant increase in the sale of petroleum products during March. According to sources, overall oil sales increased by about 13 percent; this increase was especially seen during the Eid holidays and weekly holidays. In addition, due to the decrease in hydroelectric power generation, power plants also increased the purchase of furnace oil, which increased the overall demand. According to sources, the sale of petrol in March increased by 8 percent compared to February to reach 670,000 tons, while in February this sale was 620,000 tons. Similarly, the sale of diesel also recorded a 13 percent increase. The sale of diesel in March was 590,000 tons, which was 520,000 tons in February. On the other hand, an extraordinary increase was seen in the sale of furnace oil; the sale of furnace oil in March reached 90,000 tons, while in February it was only 40,000 tons. After postal services became 2.15 percent more expensive in a month due to rising petroleum prices, the cost of postal services has increased by 14.98 percent annually. Educational expenses in the country increased by 1.29 percent in a month, and have risen by 8.85 percent on an annual basis. Meanwhile, accommodation and food facilities have become 2.92 percent more expensive in a month, and the prices of washing soap and detergent have increased by 0.57 percent. In March, wedding hall owners also increased prices by 0.61 percent, domestic workers increased their prices by 0.53 percent during the month, all types of health facilities in the country also became expensive during the month, the price of medicines has been recorded as increasing by 0.17 percent per month and 6.49 percent annually. The official document states that in one month, doctors increased clinic fees by 0.93 percent, dental services by 0.81 percent in March, medical tests by another 0.17 percent, hospitals by 0.18 percent in a month, and by 5.07 percent in a year. According to the document, the prices of household goods have increased by 0.84 percent in March, plastic goods have become expensive by 0.92 percent during the month, while stationery, vehicle parts, furniture, carpets, and restaurants have also become expensive. The federal government increased the price of petrol yesterday. 137 rupees 24 paise, and the price of diesel was increased by 184 rupees 49 paise. Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik and the Minister for Finance, while holding a joint press conference, announced that the price of petrol has been increased by 137 rupees 24 paise per liter, after which the new price of petrol has been increased to 458 rupees 41 paise per liter. The price of diesel has been increased by 184 rupees 49 paise per liter, after which the new price of diesel has been fixed at 520 rupees 35 paise. A notification has been issued to increase the prices of petroleum products. The levy on petrol has been increased by 55 rupees 24 paise per liter, after which the levy on petrol has been reduced to 160 rupees 61 paise per liter. The levy on diesel has been reduced to zero. The levy on diesel was fixed at Rs 55.24. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that the decision was taken in consultation with the country’s leadership, and targeted subsidies are being announced so that they reach the real beneficiaries. A subsidy of Rs 100 per liter will be given to motorcycles on 20 liters of petrol every month. Intercity public transport should also be given a subsidy of Rs 100 per liter on diesel. Trucks and goods transport will receive a monthly subsidy of Rs 70,000 on fuel, and the government will provide subsidies for railways to help manage fares. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik said that the President has guided us in the current economic situation. We thank him; the situation in the region has made the economy of the whole world difficult.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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