LAHORE (Kashmir English): The government is set to provide low-cost petrol to motorcycles and rickshaws through a quota system, according to sources in order to help low-income commuters.
The proposed plan will distribute petrol at subsidised prices through a regulated quota system, which will restrict access to the program for approved users only. The initiative intends to decrease the financial expenses that impact millions of people who use two and three-wheeled vehicles for their everyday travel needs.
The government has established a digital mobile app-based quota system, which works together with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority OGRA and other government departments according to recent developments.
This system will allow users to access subsidised fuel through registered quotas linked to their vehicle and national identity details. Consumers will generate digital vouchers via a mobile application, while petrol pumps will verify and dispense fuel based on the allocated quota.
The system will provide users with only their approved quantity when they exceed their limit. The officials explain that the initiative will deliver specific subsidies while it helps to manage fuel usage during increasing worldwide oil prices and the supply chain problems that result from Middle Eastern geopolitical conflicts.
The government currently targets motorcycles and rickshaws as the main focus because these vehicles represent a major part of Pakistan’s transportation system, but ongoing discussions continue about extending the program to include vehicles with engines below 800cc.
The decision comes after international supply chain disruptions have caused fuel prices to increase significantly in recent weeks, which has created extra economic challenges for Pakistan and its daily commuters.
Rationing of petrol
It has been reported that the federal government has decided to introduce a digital system for rationing petroleum products.
In this regard, the government is developing an app, and every consumer will register in the app by entering their vehicle number and their identity card number.
The government will set a petroleum quota for each citizen according to their needs and availability. Every citizen will be able to get daily petrol or diesel according to the quota set in the app.
In this regard, the government has conducted a comparative review of the use of petroleum products from last March to this March, which has shown that despite the high cost of petroleum products, the use is increasing instead of decreasing.
The sources also said that the Punjab government is considering the proposal to introduce a coupon system for the distribution of petrol.
In this regard, important recommendations have been presented to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz by the Energy Department, under which fuel rationing will probably be done in the province on the federal model.
A coupon or digital system will be introduced for the fair distribution of petrol and diesel, through which a proposal to provide fuel to limited vehicles on specific days is under consideration.
