Islamabad waives motorcycle transfer fee for one month under relief package

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Capital Excise Department to waive motorcycle transfer fees in Islamabad for one month, according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who announced the measure on X on Tuesday as part of the government’s effort to ensure citizens benefit fully from the petrol subsidy.

Mohsin Naqvi said, "Under the prime minister’s public relief and subsidy initiative, transfer fees on motorbikes in Islamabad have been waived for a period of one month".

According to the director general of excise, motorcycle owners can now complete transfer of ownership at the Islamabad Excise Office without paying any fee. The department has also established additional counters to manage the expected increase in public visits and workload.

Irfan Memon, an official of the department, said the Excise Department office would remain open round the clock to facilitate the public. The step is part of wider government measures aimed at delivering relief to people in a timely and convenient manner.

Fuel relief measures

The announcement comes after a sharp rise in fuel prices. On Thursday, the government raised petrol prices by Rs137 per litre, taking the rate to a record Rs458.4 per litre. It was the second major increase in fuel prices in less than a month.

However, on Friday night, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced a reduction of Rs80 per litre in the petroleum levy on petrol.

In response to rising petrol prices and the continuing energy crisis, the federal government also issued a framework under which two-wheeler motorcycles will receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre, limited to 20 litres per month for three months.

Under the same package, small farmers will be given Rs1,500 per acre as one-time support during the harvesting season, when diesel use is at its highest.

Freight vehicles will receive Rs100 per litre support as well as fixed monthly assistance of Rs70,000 for trucks, Rs80,000 for large transport vehicles and Rs100,000 for public service buses. The support has initially been announced for one month and will be subject to review.

Pakistan Railways will also receive assistance to help keep fares affordable for low-income passengers.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the changing global energy situation required "careful resource management," and added that the government would review the measures every month while maintaining stability in essential sectors.

Free public transport in the capital

Separately, Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday on X that, on the prime minister’s directives, all public transport in the federal capital would be made free for the next 30 days. According to the minister, the initiative was to begin from Saturday and was intended to provide relief to the public amid growing economic pressure.

He added that the Ministry of Interior would bear the cost of the scheme, which he said was estimated at Rs350 million.