KP Announces Fuel Subsidy For Motorcycle Riders

The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced a targeted fuel subsidy program for registered motorcycle owners following the recent increase in petroleum prices implemented by the federal government.

Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi stated that the initiative is intended to mitigate the financial impact of rising fuel costs on low- and middle-income households within the province.

Provincial authorities indicated that approximately 1.4 million to 1.6 million motorcycles are currently registered in the province and may potentially qualify for the subsidy under the proposed framework.

The announcement was made during a press briefing held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar on Sunday.

The chief minister expressed opposition to the recent increase in petroleum prices, stating that the provincial administration does not support policy measures that place additional financial pressure on the public.

Earlier this month, the federal government increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre in response to rising international oil prices.

Afridi also confirmed that the provincial government will maintain existing fare levels for the Bus Rapid Transit system despite higher operational expenses.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, he announced the introduction of dedicated “pink buses” within the BRT system to improve transportation facilities for women.

The chief minister further stated that the government intends to expand the BRT fleet by procuring 140 additional buses, noting that 52 units have already been manufactured.

He also indicated that the provincial government is preparing a support package for farmers ahead of the upcoming wheat harvesting season.

Commenting further on fuel pricing, Afridi stated that the Rs55 per litre increase places additional economic pressure on citizens.

He also criticised the increase in the petroleum levy, stating that it has risen from Rs85 to Rs105 per litre.

According to him, the federal government collected approximately Rs822 billion in petroleum levies during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, and this figure may reach nearly Rs1.7 trillion by the end of the fiscal year.

Afridi argued that a reduction in the levy could have provided financial relief to consumers.

He added that the federal government had recently initiated consultations with provincial administrations through the finance and petroleum ministries regarding fuel pricing developments.

However, he cautioned that deteriorating global conditions could create risks of supply disruptions involving petrol and diesel, adding that the provincial government intends to submit policy proposals to the federal government to address potential shortages.

The chief minister also outlined cost-containment measures implemented by the provincial administration, including a ban on official foreign visits and restrictions on the purchase of new government vehicles.

He further stated that a digital monitoring dashboard has been introduced to track fuel availability at petrol pumps across the province and detect potential hoarding or supply interruptions.

According to Afridi, the system enables authorities to monitor petroleum stocks and distribution conditions across the province in real time.