Pakistan is going through one of its most difficult economic phases, with fuel prices reaching record highs. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has responded with a direct relief initiative the Ehsaas Fuel Support Programme. This scheme is designed to ease the financial burden on motorcycle, scooter, and rickshaw owners who depend on daily fuel to earn their livelihood.
The programme was launched on the instructions of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and reflects the K-P government’s commitment to protecting low-income groups from the impact of rising energy costs. By targeting the most fuel-dependent segment of daily commuters, the government is taking a practical approach to a very real problem. Imran Khan Ehsaas Fuel Scheme
What Is the Ehsaas Fuel Support Programme?
The Ehsaas Fuel Support Programme is a financial relief initiative introduced by the K-P provincial government. Under this scheme, eligible vehicle owners will receive Rs2,000 in direct financial assistance to help cover rising fuel costs.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, confirmed the programme through an official statement. He described it as a “model public welfare initiative” and stressed that supporting deserving and low-income citizens remains the provincial government’s top priority.
Key features of the scheme include:
- Rs2,000 financial support for eligible vehicle owners
- Targeted at motorcycle, scooter, and rickshaw owners
- Registration and access through the Dastak App
- A simple and transparent system designed for ease of use
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How to Register: The Dastak App
One of the most important aspects of this programme is its digital delivery system. The K-P government has introduced a registration process through the Dastak App, making it accessible and straightforward for eligible citizens.
The app-based system reduces the risk of corruption and ensures that the aid reaches the right people. Citizens who own motorcycles, scooters, or rickshaws can register directly through the app without visiting any government office. This reflects the government’s intent to keep the process transparent and citizen-friendly.
Steps to access the scheme:
- Download or open the Dastak App
- Register as a motorcycle, scooter, or rickshaw owner
- Submit required vehicle and identity information
- Receive Rs2,000 financial support upon verification
Why This Scheme Was Needed: The Fuel Price Crisis
To understand the importance of this programme, it is necessary to look at the sharp rise in fuel prices that triggered it. Within a single month, petrol prices in Pakistan increased dramatically, placing enormous pressure on low and middle-income households.
| Event | Price Change |
|---|---|
| First federal increase | Rs55 per litre rise in petrol and diesel |
| Second federal increase | Rs137 per litre rise, reaching Rs458.4 per litre |
| PM Shehbaz’s relief measure | Rs80 per litre reduction in petroleum levy |
| Cumulative petrol increase (one month) | 63% |
| Cumulative high-speed diesel increase (one month) | 75% |
These figures show how rapidly the cost of fuel escalated. Rickshaw drivers, daily wage workers, and small business owners who rely on motorcycles were among the hardest hit. The Ehsaas Fuel Support Programme is a direct response to this reality.
Provincial Solidarity: Other Provinces Are Acting Too
The K-P government is not alone in its response to the fuel crisis. Provinces across Pakistan have recognized the need to protect citizens from rising prices and have launched their own relief measures.
The Sindh government announced a monthly subsidy of Rs2,000 for registered motorcyclists. Public transport and goods transport operators in Sindh will receive monthly subsidies ranging from Rs70,000 to Rs100,000. In Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that public transport across all cities in the province will be made free of charge.
Relief measures by province at a glance:
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rs2,000 for motorcycle, scooter, and rickshaw owners via Dastak App
- Sindh: Rs2,000 monthly subsidy for motorcyclists; Rs70,000–Rs100,000 for transport operators
- Punjab: Free public transport across all cities
This coordinated response across provinces signals a growing awareness among regional governments that the federal fuel price hikes cannot be left unaddressed at the local level.
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The Political Dimension: Vision of Imran Khan
The K-P government, aligned with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has framed this initiative within the broader vision of PTI founder Imran Khan. Shafi Jan stated that the government will continue public-focused measures in line with Khan’s vision.
The statement also criticized federal policies, arguing that decisions made at the centre have placed additional strain on poorer segments of society. While the provincial government has limited financial resources compared to the federal government, the Ehsaas Fuel Support Programme represents an effort to deliver relief at the grassroots level using available tools.
The use of the Ehsaas brand originally associated with federal welfare programmes is significant. It signals continuity with the welfare-state approach that PTI championed during its time in federal government. Imran Khan Ehsaas Fuel Scheme
Who Benefits Most from This Scheme?
The programme is specifically designed for people who use small vehicles for daily work or commuting. These are typically among the most economically vulnerable citizens in any Pakistani city or town.
Groups that benefit directly include:
- Daily wage earners who use motorcycles for transportation
- Rickshaw drivers who depend on fuel for their livelihood
- Small delivery workers and vendors using scooters
- Low-income families for whom fuel is a major monthly expense
By focusing on this group, the K-P government has made a deliberate choice to prioritize those who feel the impact of fuel price increases most immediately and most severely.
Conclusion
The Ehsaas Fuel Support Programme is a meaningful step by the K-P government to provide relief to citizens facing a genuine economic crisis. The Rs2,000 support, delivered through a transparent digital system, shows practical governance in action.
However, it is also important to acknowledge that Rs2,000 covers only a portion of the increased fuel costs that low-income citizens face each month, particularly given the 63% cumulative rise in petrol prices. The scheme is best seen as a short-term cushion rather than a long-term solution.
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What makes this initiative noteworthy is its speed, its simplicity, and its clear targeting of the most vulnerable road users. As other provinces roll out similar measures, there is growing hope that citizens across Pakistan will receive some form of protection from the ongoing energy crisis. Imran Khan Ehsaas Fuel Scheme