Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged provincial governments to release their shares of a fuel-subsidy fund to provide relief for heavy-goods transporters.

The delay in fund utilization threatens the effectiveness of a targeted relief program designed to cushion motorcyclists and public transport operators against rising fuel costs. If provinces do not deposit their allocated shares, the subsidies may not reach the intended transport sectors in time to mitigate economic pressure.

Speaking during a press briefing at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad on Sunday, April 7, 2024, Sharif said, "I urge the provinces to release their shares of the fuel‑subsidy fund without delay."

A senior official said that around Rs 200 billion [1] is being pooled for a targeted fuel-subsidy programme spanning three months [2]. Despite this allocation, reports indicate that provincial governments have not yet fully released or utilized their shares of the fund intended for heavy and goods transport.

Sharif said the government is taking, and will continue to take, all possible measures to provide relief to the public during these challenging times. The program aims to stabilize the logistics chain by ensuring that those moving goods and people can afford fuel despite price volatility.

Federal authorities said they hope that provinces will move quickly to deposit the funds. The current deadlock leaves a significant portion of the relief package idle while transport operators continue to face high operational costs.

“"I urge the provinces to release their shares of the fuel‑subsidy fund without delay."”

The friction between the federal government and provincial administrations over the fuel-subsidy fund highlights the logistical and political challenges of implementing targeted economic relief in Pakistan. Because the program relies on provincial cooperation to distribute funds, any delay at the local level directly impacts the cost of transporting goods, which can lead to further inflation for consumers across the country.