Global energy markets remain vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and fluctuations in international oil prices. For countries like Pakistan, which rely heavily on imported petroleum products, these developments create significant economic challenges and place additional pressure on household budgets. In such circumstances, protecting vulnerable segments of society through targeted and carefully designed relief measures becomes an important public policy priority.

The Prime Minister’s Special Fuel Relief Scheme, introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, is a timely response to these challenges. Recognising the direct impact of rising fuel costs on working families, the Prime Minister has prioritised assistance for citizens who depend on motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis and small cars to earn their livelihoods and meet their daily transportation needs.

For millions of Pakistanis, a motorcycle or rickshaw is not a luxury; it is an essential means of earning an income and reaching their jobs. Delivery riders, daily-wage workers, small traders and lower-paid employees rely on these vehicles to reach workplaces, transport goods and support their families. When petrol prices rise, the resulting increase in transportation expenses can place considerable pressure on their limited incomes.

The Prime Minister’s Special Fuel Relief Scheme has........

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