Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate inclusion of 20 year old motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws in the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme. The move aims to provide further relief to the public amid ongoing economic pressure. Under the directive, vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2006 will now qualify for registration under the scheme. Therefore, thousands of older vehicles that previously fell outside the eligibility window can now apply.

The decision allows owners and drivers of motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws up to 20 years old to benefit from the scheme. Additionally, the directive aims to expand the scope of the fuel relief scheme and reach more people. This particularly helps those who rely on two and three wheelers for daily commuting and livelihoods. Meanwhile, officials say the expansion reflects growing demand from lower income vehicle owners who felt excluded from the original scheme.

The Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme currently provides Rs. 100 per liter in relief on up to 20 liters of petrol per month for motorcycles, rickshaws and other two or three wheelers. Cars with engines up to 800cc are eligible for the same relief, though on up to 30 liters per month. However, the scheme remains limited to non-commercial users, and each user or owner can only register one vehicle.

The Economic Coordination Committee has approved Rs. 75 billion for the scheme, which is being managed through a digital Fuel Pass System. Instead of a manual verification process, this digital system allows for faster tracking and disbursement of relief funds. Finally, the latest expansion signals that the government intends to widen the scheme further as it evaluates its impact on daily commuters across the country.