Business Desk 
Apr 05, 2026
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has announced that relief payments for public and freight transporters were now being transferred through digital wallets as part of measures to ease the ongoing fuel crisis, supporting those most impacted by increasing petroleum product prices in Pakistan.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the PM's Offer (PMO) quoted the prime minister as saying: "The disbursement of relief funds to individuals operating public transport and freight vehicles has begun through digital wallets."
“Subsidies are now being digitally transferred for public transport buses and wagons, as well as goods transport trucks and freight vehicles under an efficient and transparent system,” said the premier, adding that the government is working to ensure aid reaches economically vulnerable groups as quickly as possible. “We will not abandon our people during difficult times."
The prime ministers stressed that the government's top priority is to give relief to Pakistanis during challenging time because of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The money saved through government austerity measures will be spent on the public,” said PM Shehbaz, adding that sufficient fuel reserves are in place to meet the country’s needs.
The announcement comes after fuel prices surged sharply due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, according to the PMP statement.
Prices of the two most used fuel — including petrol and diesel — were raised by Rs55 per litre on March 6, and the government introduced strict austerity measures on March 9 to handle the situation.
