The Pakistani government has expanded a fuel subsidy scheme aimed at helping motorcycle riders, rickshaw and Qingqi drivers, and owners of small cars cope with rising petrol prices amid higher global oil costs.

The Special Relief Scheme provides targeted fuel assistance to lower- and middle-income citizens whose livelihoods depend heavily on affordable transportation. The government says the programme is designed to reach workers who often fall outside conventional social-assistance programmes but play an important role in sustaining economic activity at the local level.

Pakistan, as an oil-importing country, has been particularly exposed to fluctuations in international energy prices. Rising global oil prices linked to regional tensions have put additional pressure on household budgets.

It is learned that 10 million users have already availed this relief scheme.

Under the scheme, motorcycle, rickshaw and Qingqi users receive Rs. 500 in fuel relief each week through four tokens a month. The government has also removed the previous minimum purchase requirement of five litres, allowing eligible users to receive the full Rs. 500 relief regardless of the amount of petrol purchased.

For example, a rider purchasing two litres of petrol for Rs. 780 would pay Rs. 280 after the subsidy is applied. Owners of cars up to 800cc receive a discount of Rs. 100 per litre on 10 litres of petrol every 10 days, through three subsidized tokens a month.

The eligibility age for motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqis has been extended from vehicles up to 15 years old to those up to 20 years old. Vehicles registered on or after Jan. 1, 2006, are now eligible.

The programme relies on a digital verification system developed by Pakistan's Ministry of IT. The system connects an applicant's CNIC, the SIM registered to the CNIC, vehicle records and a unique fuel token. The aim is to prevent duplicate claims and misuse while allowing transactions to be verified at petrol stations.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has meanwhile conducted a nationwide public-awareness campaign through television, radio, print and digital media.

Beyond the immediate fuel discount, the programme is seen as a potential foundation for more targeted social assistance. By establishing a digital record connecting eligible citizens with their vehicles, mobile numbers and fuel purchases, the scheme could give authorities a more direct way to identify and reach vulnerable groups during future economic shocks.