PM urges provinces to release ‘fuel subsidy funds,’ commends Balochistan’s timely share

• Premier Shehbaz assures transparent disbursement through digital wallets and sufficient national fuel reserves

• Fuel subsidy initiative targets motorcyclists, public and goods transport operators to check price hike

• Rs200b pooled by provinces for three-month relief package in line with their National Finance Commission (NFC) shares

• PM reaffirms commitment to public relief amid challenging economic and regional conditions

• Passenger buses to get Rs100,000/month; trucks Rs70,000–80,000; delivery vans Rs35,000/month

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday urged provinces to release their “committed funds” for fuel subsidies to facilitate motorcyclists, public transport, and goods transport operators, commending the Balochistan government for paying its share in the package, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a high level meeting to review implementation of government's subsidy package for petroleum products in the wake of regional situation. pic.twitter.com/zJWeRUmT5R

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 5, 2026

“The government has started the disbursement of subsidies to owners of motorcycles, trucks, and public transport operators transparently and securely through digital wallets, and I hope other provinces, like Balochistan, will also release their share soon,” the prime minister said while presiding over a meeting to review austerity measures.

PM Shehbaz lauded Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti for promptly disbursing the provincial share under the federal austerity package, terming it “commendable.”

وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت خطے میں حالیہ کشیدگی کے دوران پیٹرولیم مصنوعات پر حکومت کی جانب سے سبسڈی کے نفاذ پر پیش رفت کا جائزہ اجلاس

اجلاس کو سبسڈی کی فراہمی پر پیش رفت سے آگاہ کرنے کے ساتھ ساتھ ملک میں ایندھن کے ذخائر اور کھپت پر بھی بریفنگ دی گئی۔ اور جو سبسڈی… pic.twitter.com/lK8RiC3cei

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 5, 2026

On Thursday, the federal government announced targeted relief measures to provide subsidised fuel, ending the blanket subsidy for all economic classes, with provinces taking the lead in delivering fuel quotas. Collectively, provinces are pooling around Rs200 billion for three months, in line with their National Finance Commission (NFC) shares — approximately Rs100 billion from Punjab, Rs51–52 billion from Sindh, Rs15 billion from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Rs8–9 billion from Balochistan.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت پیٹرولیم مصنوعات پر حکومت کی جانب سے سبسڈی کے نفاذ پر پیش رفت کا جائزہ اجلاس

اجلاس کو سبسڈی کی فراہمی پر پیش رفت سے آگاہ کرنے کے ساتھ ساتھ ملک میں ایندھن کے ذخائر اور کھپت پر بھی بریفنگ دی گئی، جو سبسڈی پیر کے دن سے فراہم کی جانی تھی،… pic.twitter.com/v1TOqJ0PLI

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 5, 2026

While disbursements were initially scheduled to begin Monday, the process was launched on Saturday. Provinces have shared details with the federal government regarding the number of public transport buses, trucks, and goods vehicles eligible for the subsidies.

The prime minister reiterated that the government is taking, and will continue to take, all possible measures to provide relief to the public amid challenging times. He reviewed progress on the implementation of petroleum subsidies, national fuel reserves, and consumption, while being briefed on subsidy distribution.

Under the package, passenger buses receive Rs100,000 per month, minibuses and wagons Rs40,000 per month, trucks Rs70,000, large freight vehicles Rs80,000, and delivery vans Rs35,000 per month, helping prevent fare hikes.

PM Shehbaz said the government has provided a public relief package worth Rs129 billion over the past three weeks, including an Rs80 per litre reduction in the petroleum levy. Pakistan Railways is providing a Rs6 billion subsidy, keeping passenger and freight fares unchanged, and the quarterly 25% increase in toll tax has been withdrawn.

The meeting also received a briefing from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on the implementation of government austerity measures, and the prime minister was assured that sufficient fuel reserves are available to meet national requirements.