PM orders crackdown on fuel smuggling, seeks final relief plan for low-income consumers

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to launch strict enforcement measures against the smuggling and illegal hoarding of petroleum products, while pushing ministries to finalise proposals aimed at providing targeted relief to low-income households.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on petroleum supply, conservation, and austerity measures in light of the prevailing regional situation, the prime minister stressed that ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability and protecting vulnerable consumers remained the government’s foremost priority.

Officials informed the meeting that the supply, demand, and distribution network of petroleum products across the country is being continuously tracked through a digital monitoring dashboard to maintain stability in the market.

The premier noted that timely policy decisions by the federal government had ensured adequate stocks of petroleum products to meet national demand. He reiterated that the administration had already extended Rs129 billion in relief to consumers through austerity steps, expenditure savings, and reductions in development spending to cushion the impact of potential oil price increases.

“Providing relief to the people is our top priority,” the prime minister emphasised, adding that the government had taken significant measures over the past three weeks to support low-income segments and would continue such initiatives going forward.

During the meeting, the leadership also reviewed progress on conservation and fiscal discipline measures introduced to manage energy consumption and public spending amid evolving regional dynamics.

Separately, the development follows earlier directives issued by the prime minister a day before, instructing provincial administrations to facilitate motorcycle and rickshaw owners in registering their vehicles in their own names. The move is intended to support the rollout of a specialised fuel assistance programme designed to protect low-income commuters from fluctuations in global oil prices.

According to officials, the initiative will help digitise nationwide data on motorcycles and rickshaws, enabling authorities to deliver targeted subsidies and other relief measures more efficiently in the future.

The meeting was attended by key members of the federal cabinet, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari, along with other senior government officials.