Motorcyclists Test Pakistan's New Rs100-per-Litre Fuel Discount Scheme
A photojournalist enrolled in Pakistan's recent fuel-price relief program and found mixed results, with some users getting the discount while others faced hurdles.
After the Prime Minister’s Special Relief Scheme was announced, the writer registered for the Rs100 per litre discount aimed at motorcyclists, rickshaws and Qingqis. Verification via SMS allowed him to fill five litres at the reduced rate, but the scheme initially required a full five-litre purchase and operated only during limited hours, causing confrontations at pumps such as one in North Karachi. Riders devised workarounds, including token sharing between two bikes, though the legality of this was unclear.
Many low-income commuters could not afford the five-litre minimum and were excluded despite registration. Responding to early complaints, officials later lifted the five-litre rule and eliminated SMS charges, hoping to make the subsidy more accessible.
Why it matters
The story shows how quickly new subsidies can encounter practical problems that affect everyday commuters.
In this story
