Pakistan’s federal government is considering a targeted fuel subsidy for motorcyclists and rickshaw drivers to cushion the impact of rising petroleum prices, officials told a Senate committee.
Petroleum Secretary Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh informed the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum that work is underway on a relief package aimed at small vehicle users, one of the most vulnerable segments affected by fuel price increases.
The proposal follows a similar initiative introduced by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and comes in response to a recent surge in fuel prices driven by regional tensions and disruptions in global energy supply routes.
Fuel reserves remain adequate
Officials told the committee that Pakistan currently has sufficient fuel stocks to meet short-term demand. Petrol reserves are estimated to last around 27 days, while diesel stocks can cover approximately 21 days. Jet fuel is available for about 14 days, crude oil for 11 days, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for roughly nine days.
To ensure uninterrupted supply, the government has also allowed the import of petroleum products below Euro 5 standards.
Supply secured for March, concerns over LNG persist
In a separate meeting of the petrol monitoring committee, chaired by Muhammad Aurangzeb, officials reviewed national fuel availability and confirmed that Pakistan’s fuel requirements for March have been fully secured. Current import plans provide coverage until mid-April, with efforts underway to extend supplies further.
Authorities said they are closely monitoring stock levels to prevent hoarding and maintain market stability.
However, lawmakers raised concerns over the recent increase in fuel prices. The petroleum secretary said the hike was intended to discourage hoarding and did not provide additional gains to oil marketing companies.
Officials also warned of emerging risks on the gas front, noting that LNG supplies from Qatar have been disrupted since March 2. Future cargoes remain uncertain, and gas supply to the power sector has already been reduced, raising the likelihood of expensive spot LNG purchases in the coming weeks.
