Pakistan fuel subsidy vouchers for motorcycles
por Giantkebab: Pakistan
The programme is designed to run on a 2G phone through the SIM service, covering motorcycles and cars under 800cc. Pakistan is importing most of its oil from the Gulf, and under its International Monetary Fund bailout it has to keep a heavy levy to hit the fiscal targets the IMF set. Fuel prices have climbed nearly 50% since the conflict in Iran began, and that has landed on households already stretched thin. So the government is rolling out discounted gasoline for low-income motorcycle users, delivered through fuel subsidy vouchers. Kamal Haider, Al Jazeera, Islamabad.
Transcrição (en)
Pakistan has seen an increase in the prices of fuel at the pump, all as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. attack and the Israeli attack on Iran has driven the prices. We have seen a 50 percent rise in the prices of fuel, diesel and petrol. And that, of course, has put an additional burden not just on the country, but also on the people, because Pakistan is importing the bulk of its oil from the Gulf region and that is of course the main source of supply however Pakistan also has commitments with the international monetary fund it is under a bailout program and that of course means that Pakistan has to impose a heavy levy in order to meet the fiscal revenue generation needs that have been dictated by the IMF however to offer relief to the people. The government has come out with a scheme that can be used even through a 2G telephone, through the SIM service, and that of course provides relief to motorcycle owners as well as cars under 800cc. Pakistan has millions of two users Saving up to 2 rupees a month could provide meaningful relief and help families meet other essential household expenses According to the government this is helping almost 10 million people. The government has allocated $271 million for the next three months. It wants to increase that and give that facility for a longer period, but that is something it will have to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund. There's a geopolitical conflict going on in the region. Because Pakistan is a major importer of fuel, it has risen the prices of fuel for every single person. As the fuel prices increase, the spending of an average household on health and education reduces. So the Honorable Prime Minister, keeping in mind this view of the welfare of the citizens, made sure that he gives targeted subsidy to the most deserving people that were there. However, in a bid to offer relief to the lower income group, people complain that the government should reduce the price because they say that India and Bangladesh are also major importers of fuel and that they are paying far less at the fuel station than the people here in Pakistan. Kamal Haider Al Jazeera, Islamabad.
