LAHORE: The government is planning a new fuel quota system for two- and three-wheelers, including motorcycles and rickshaws, to make fuel subsidies more targeted and affordable for low-income riders.
The system will be operated through a mobile app, where users can generate digital vouchers to get their fuel within a fixed quota.
The system, developed in consultation with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and relevant ministries, is designed to be fully automated.
Riders will be able to request fuel through a mobile application, and petrol stations will dispense fuel according to the user’s available quota. For example, if a rider has a 15-litre quota but requests 20 liters, the system will automatically allow only 15 liters.
The Ministry of Information Technology is working with mobile phone manufacturers to provide specialized devices for the system, costing around Rs 36,000 per unit, with an estimated retail price of Rs 72,000. Petrol stations will deposit funds into a designated government account to ensure devices are delivered promptly.
Subsidies will be reserved for two- and three-wheelers, and specific fuel nozzles will be dedicated for these vehicles at petrol stations. A final decision is yet to be made on whether small cars will also receive support.
Officials say the quota system is critical as fuel demand remains high despite rising costs and foreign exchange pressures. The government has already spent an estimated Rs 70 billion in the past two weeks keeping petrol and diesel prices unchanged.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz have caused global oil prices to surge, intensifying the need for careful management of fuel supply and pricing.
For smooth operations, all oil marketing companies (OMCs) will appoint focal persons at each station to monitor the system and address complaints. The IT ministry will provide demonstrations and tutorials to guide users and retailers. In emergencies, approvals will be granted through a special dispensation process.
Petroleum Division Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Shaikh said earlier that the government is working on this subsidized fuel package to provide relief to motorcycle and rickshaw drivers, following similar measures by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
