THIS is with reference to the report ‘PM Shehbaz directs inclusion of 20-year-old bikes, rickshaws in fuel relief scheme’ (Dawn.Com, Sept 18). I have a few simple questions. Why has this relief been limited only to vehicles up to 20 years old? If the government truly intends to provide relief to the common man, why have motorcycles older than 20 years been excluded? Are the owners of such older motorcycles not Pakistani citizens? Does the high price of petrol not affect them? I own a motorcycle that has a 1991 registration plate. Where should people like me go for relief? Are we not citizens of Pakistan? Are we not taxpayers?

In fact, those who still use very old models happen to be more deserving of such support, because they are the ones who cannot even afford to buy newer motorcycles due to financial constraints. The rising cost of fuel hits them the hardest.

The government should immediately remove this arbitrary 20-year cut-off, and extend the fuel relief to owners of all motorcycles and rickshaws regardless of the year of registration. Only then will the scheme be considered fair and truly beneficial to all the ordinary Pakistanis.

Muhammad Faizan Ali
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026