In a high-level meeting on Sunday, March 29, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the national implementation of fuel-saving and austerity measures. The session, attended via video link by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and senior federal ministers, focused on protecting low-income citizens from the global energy crisis triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The Registration Drive
The Prime Minister issued a direct mandate to provincial governments to facilitate the immediate registration of motorcycles and rickshaws in the names of their actual owners.
- The Goal: Digitizing the ownership database of two- and three-wheelers is the “key” to unlocking future government relief.
- Direct Subsidy: Once registered, owners will be eligible for a targeted fuel subsidy, which the government plans to deliver via a specialized mobile application currently in the final stages of testing.
- Verification: The system will link vehicle registration numbers with the owner’s CNIC, ensuring that relief reaches the most vulnerable segments rather than being a blanket subsidy that benefits luxury vehicle owners.
Talking about the quota mechanism and vouchers, an official said vehicle-based quotas will be linked to the user’s app via a registration number and their CNIC.
However, quota limits will be finally decided by the cabinet committee concerned.https://t.co/pw8Hfk6Lbh
— Dawn Business (@dawn_business) March 25, 2026
Financial Buffer: The Rs 125 Billion Shield
To prevent a catastrophic spike in domestic fuel prices, the federal government has made significant fiscal sacrifices:
- Budget Cuts: Rs 125 billion has been reallocated to the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund by slashing the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and other non-essential government expenditures.
- Price Absorption: The PM noted that without this intervention, petrol prices could have surpassed Rs 540 per litre. Currently, the government is absorbing a significant “Price Differential Claim” to keep rates at the current levels (approx. Rs 322/litre for petrol).
- Adequate Stocks: The meeting was briefed that fuel imports for April 2026 have already been finalized, and Pakistan currently holds sufficient reserves to avoid the “long queues” seen in other crisis-hit nations.
Monitoring & Demand Management
The government is moving toward a tech-driven approach to manage the energy crunch:
- Digital Dashboard: A new real-time tracking system has been launched to monitor the entire petroleum supply chain, from refinery production to retail outlet stocks, to prevent hoarding.
- Austerity Appeal: The PM urged the nation to adopt teleconferencing for work and avoid unnecessary travel. This aligns with other measures such as the additional weekly holiday and cuts in free petrol quotas for government officials.
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