The government’s fuel relief scheme could soon cover diesel and up to five million more people. This follows a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman at the PM House in Islamabad on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Government sources said the government has agreed in principle to widen the subsidy to diesel and up to five million more beneficiaries, and that eligible users could pay Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 less per litre if talks go well.

Nothing is final yet. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, a committee of three members from each side will give final recommendations on two things: bringing more deserving people into the petrol relief scheme, and a step-by-step cut in the petroleum levy through the budget. The petroleum levy is a fixed tax the government adds to every litre of fuel.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and the PM’s political adviser Rana Sanaullah will sit on the committee for the government. Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said JI leaders Liaquat Baloch, Syed Farasat Shah and Nasrullah Randhawa would represent his party.

Diesel back on the table

JI wanted diesel included because farms, trucks and many businesses run on it. The party argued that leaving diesel out hurts farmers and pushes up costs across the economy, and the government signalled that diesel could be added to the scheme to some extent.

Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman also claimed that his party’s campaign had already won a Rs. 32 per litre cut in diesel prices.

Why not cheap fuel for all

The main fight was over who gets the help. JI wants relief for everyone. The government says help must go only to people who qualify, because of its loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the global lender. Officials said cheap fuel for all would help rich and poor alike and could put the programme at risk.

After the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal said the government wants to ease the burden but must pick a long-lasting path it can afford. Rana Sanaullah said the relief should stay targeted so the people who need it most get the most help. Sources added that the government is also thinking about adding more older motorcycles and vehicles to the scheme.

12.7 million already signed up

Shehbaz Sharif announced the scheme on September 13. It gives Rs. 100 off every litre of petrol to owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqis, three-wheelers and cars with engines up to 800cc. It was rolled out across the country on September 17.

Shehbaz Sharif told the JI team that 12.7 million people have registered so far. Rana Sanaullah said the number is likely to reach 20 million in the coming days. Adding five million more would push it well past that.

If you have not joined yet, you do not need to wait for the new rules. Registration is open across the country by sending an SMS to 9771. Bikes, rickshaws and Qingqis up to 20 years old were also added to the scheme in September.

To see what the reported cut could mean: a rider who buys 20 litres a month would save Rs. 600 to Rs. 800 more at Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 per litre. The final amount will depend on what the committee agrees.

March still set for November

JI has not dropped its main demand to scrap the petroleum levy. The government asked for seven more days to widen the relief, and JI agreed to give it a final chance. Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said the government earns Rs. 150 billion a month from the levy.

He said JI will march on Islamabad in mid-November if the relief package and a plan to end the levy are not announced before then. Asked about a reported government offer to cut the levy by Rs. 20 to Rs. 30, he dismissed it as “peanuts”.

Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman recalled that in April, the government raised the levy on petrol from Rs. 105 to Rs. 160 per litre, then cut it by Rs. 80 after public anger.

Who qualifies, how much each person gets, and how much diesel is covered will all be decided in the committee’s talks.