ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday urged provinces to release their funds for the fuel subsidies to facilitate motorcyclists, and public and goods transport amid the unprecedented energy crisis in the country.
The federal government on Thursday announced the targeted relief measures to provide subsidised fuel, ending the blanket subsidy for all economic classes. The provinces are taking the lead in administering subsidised fuel quotas.
Altogether, the provinces are pooling around Rs200bn for three months on the pattern of their National Finance Commission (NFC) shares — Rs100bn or so from Punjab, Rs51-Rs52bn from Sindh, Rs15bn from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and about Rs8-Rs9bn from Balochistan.
Presiding over a meeting to review austerity measures, the PM Shehbaz lauded Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for disbursing the provincial share in the PM’s austerity package.
A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) quoted him as saying: “Balochistan’s government has already paid the decided share in the package, which is commendable. I hope that other provinces will also pay their share soon.”
The prime minister said the government has started the disbursement of subsidies to the owners of motorcycles, trucks and public buses transparently and securely through digital wallets. It said the government had initially decided to start the disbursement from Monday, but the process was initiated over the weekend.
KP govt orders early closure of markets, eateries and wedding halls
It was informed that all provinces had provided details to the centre regarding the number of public transport buses, goods transport and trucks.
PM Shehbaz said the government would continue to take all possible measures to provide relief to the public during these challenging times.
He reviewed progress on the implementation of government subsidies on petroleum products amid recent regional tensions. The meeting was briefed on the progress of subsidy provision, as well as on the country’s fuel reserves and consumption.
Subsidy for passenger buses
He said passenger buses were being provided a monthly subsidy of Rs100,000, while minibuses and wagons were receiving Rs40,000 per month to prevent an increase in fares.
To control the rise in prices of essential food items, trucks were being given Rs70,000, large freight vehicles were being given Rs80,000, and delivery vans were being given Rs35,000 per month as a subsidy, he added.
The prime minister said a public relief package worth Rs129 billion had been provided over the past three weeks.
He further stated that immediate relief was provided by reducing the petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre.
He said that Pakistan Railways was providing a subsidy of Rs6bn, due to which there was no increase in the fares of passenger and freight trains. He said the quarterly 25 per cent increase in toll tax had also been withdrawn.
The meeting was informed that sufficient fuel reserves were available in the country to meet national requirements.
A report was also presented by the Intelligence Bureau on the implementation of the government’s austerity measures.
KP govt orders early market closure
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced energy conservation measures on Sunday, setting timings for the closure of markets, eateries and wedding halls.
According to a notification issued by the KP chief secretary office, all markets, shopping plazas, commercial establishments and night-time sports activities in divisional headquarters should close by 9pm, while markets, shopping plazas and commercial establishments in other districts should close by 8pm.
For restaurants, cafes and eateries, the notice set 10pm as the closure time though home delivery and takeaway services could be provided even afterwards.
On the other hand, “all marriage halls, marquees, event halls, event lawns and public/ private events of a similar nature shall conclude by 10pm”, the notice stated.
Exemptions
It said, “Agriculture and construction activities, labs and emergency health services, tandoors engaged solely in the preparation and sale of roti/naan for immediate consumption, petrol pumps, in respect of only fuel dispensing only and public transport terminals, in respect of limited operational lighting only”, were exempted from the new restrictions.
The notice said medical stores and pharmacies were also exempted from these restrictions, but subject to a set of conditions.
Elaborating on these conditions, the notice said the exemption should apply only to the “primary licensed activity of the premises; medical stores/pharmacies shall be standalone, duly licenced, and primarily engaged in sale of medicines; mixed-use outlets, including premises combining pharmacy with general retail or other commercial activity, shall be treated as commercial establishments and shall not qualify for exemption; no additional or ancillary commercial activity shall be carried out under the cover of exemption; display of valid licence shall be mandatory on demand; any business converted, registered or modified after issuance of this notification for the purpose of seeking exemption shall not be entitled to exemption”.
Industrial activities
For industrial and production activities, it added that all industrial units, manufacturing facilities, processing units, workshops and export-oriented enterprises should remain exempt, “subject to operations being genuine production activity and subject further to avoidance of excessive or non-essential lighting”.
Commercial, retail or showroom components attached to such units should comply with the prescribed closure timings, it added.
The notice said “decorative, facade and other non-essential lighting” on buildings, plazas, marquees, event lawns and commercial premises should also not be used to conserve energy.
It said that floodlights, spotlights and similar high-intensity lighting used for decorative or display purposes on buildings, commercial premises and event venues should also not be used, adding that excessive lighting in markets, shopping plazas, mixed-use commercial buildings and standalone establishments should be restricted to essential illumination only.
Moreover, the notice said that illuminated billboards, hoardings, digital display boards and LED screens should remain switched off after closure hours.
Air-conditioning, escalators and lifts in commercial buildings should not be used beyond business hours, except where required for exempted essential services, it said, adding that the use of generators for non-essential commercial activity after closure timings would not be permitted.
Regarding public sector compliance, the notice stated that all government offices should ensure strict energy conservation, including switching off lights, air-conditioning and equipment immediately when the officer/staff are not on the premises and after office hours.
“No after-hours office activity shall be carried out except where essential in the public interest or for emergency purposes. Non-essential illumination of public buildings shall be avoided,” it said.
It added that deputy commissioners should ensure the implementation of these measures in their respective districts.
Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2026