Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said the government is providing targeted subsidies on transport and freight vehicles to prevent a surge in fares and food prices amid ongoing economic pressures.
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister said subsidies are being extended to passenger vehicles to shield commuters from fare hikes.
A monthly subsidy of Rs100,000 is being provided to buses, while minibuses and wagons will receive Rs40,000 each to maintain fare levels.
To contain rising food costs, the government is also subsidising goods transport.
Under the package, trucks will receive Rs70,000 per month, large freight vehicles Rs80,000, and delivery vans Rs35,000. The funds are being disbursed through digital wallets to ensure transparency.
Subsidy rollout begins ahead of schedule
The prime minister said he had directed the immediate release of subsidy funds, which began a day earlier than planned.
Officials informed the meeting that although the rollout was scheduled for Monday, payments started on Saturday on the premier’s instructions. Provincial governments have already shared details of eligible vehicles with the federal authorities
Prime Minister Sharif appreciated the role of Sarfaraz Bugti, noting that the Balochistan government had deposited its agreed share for the national subsidy package.
He expressed hope that other provinces would follow suit and contribute their portions at the earliest.
Wider relief measures announced
The prime minister highlighted that a public relief package worth Rs129 billion had been rolled out over the past three weeks.
He said the government had reduced the petrol levy by Rs80 per litre to provide immediate relief to consumers.
A subsidy of Rs6 billion has been allocated to Pakistan Railways to prevent fare increases for both passenger and freight trains.
Additionally, the quarterly 25 per cent increase in toll tax has been withdrawn.
The meeting was informed that the country currently holds adequate fuel reserves to meet national demand.
Officials from the Intelligence Bureau also presented a report on the implementation of government austerity measures.
Senior cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, attended the session along with federal ministers and key officials.
