Islamabad: State Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik declared on Monday that the government will offer petrol for Rs100 below the official rate. This scheme will be for motorbikes and cars up to 800cc. Decision came in just one day after announcing a Rs50 discount on each gallon of petrol for the ‘less privileged’
“The initial plan was to provide petrol at Rs50 less than notified rate to people with motorcycles and 800cc cars. The prime minister instructed us on Sunday night to provide petrol at Rs100 less than the notified rate,” Dr. Malik said at a news conference.
“However, rich people with cars/vehicles over 800cc will pay more for petrol. The objective of the government’s move is to assist the majority of poor people. That is 210 million of the country’s total 220 million population,” the petroleum minister explained.
Thus, we have separated the Pakistan of the poor and the Pakistan of the rich,” he added, adding that making gas more expensive for the wealthy “will enable us provide cheaper fuel to the poor.”
Regarding gas, he stated that the gas tariff for the poor and the rich had been divided as of January 1 of this year.
The poor will have significantly lower petrol bills than the wealthy,” the minister added. The petrol consumption (per unit) rate for the wealthy would be one-fourth more expensive than for the poor.
“The target subsidy on electricity is already in place, and those using up to 400 units of electricity are receiving cheaper bills,” he added, adding that the preparation for the next initiative to aid the poor was also underway.
