Sindh fuel subsidy portal restored after hacking attempts, minister says

KARACHI: The Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla on Tuesday confirmed that the online fuel subsidy portal for motorcyclists was temporarily shut down due to repeated hacking attempts.

The portal, launched on Monday by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, allows registered motorcyclists to claim Rs2,000 per month by submitting their CNIC and bank account details at taxportal.excise.gos.pk, with an automated confirmation issued upon successful registration.

Thousands of motorcyclists reported difficulties accessing the system during the downtime. Speaking at a press conference, Minister Chawla confirmed the hacking attempts but said the system had been secured and restored. So far, 15,000 motorcycles have been registered, 3,000 applicants have successfully submitted claims, and Rs2,000 each has been transferred to 1,500 individuals through Sindh Bank accounts.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon noted that the province has approximately 6.7 million registered motorcycles, all of whose owners will eventually receive the monthly subsidy.

Drug and liquor seizure

In a separate announcement, Ministers Memon and Chawla revealed that over 500 kilograms of crystal meth and 3,000 bottles of foreign liquor were seized during a joint operation in the Arabian Sea.

The excise minister said the operation involved the Excise and Narcotics Control Wing, Naval Intelligence, and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), based on intelligence about drug smuggling attempts. The seized contraband, valued at billions of rupees, highlights the effectiveness of coordinated action against organised drug trafficking networks. Investigations are underway to identify local facilitators and financiers linked to the network.

Relief package for farmers and transport users

Minister Memon also highlighted the Sindh government’s Rs35 billion relief package for citizens, prioritising small farmers and public transport users. Farmers owning less than 25 acres are being provided Rs1,500 per acre, with funds being transferred through Sindh Bank. Additional subsidies are being offered to those traveling via public transport.

The officials stressed that these measures aim to provide maximum relief amid rising fuel prices and other economic pressures, while also ensuring enforcement against criminal networks exploiting the region.