Pakistan has finalised a mobile app-based fuel quota system for motorcycles and rickshaws amid a global oil crisis. The move matters as rising oil prices strain the economy and increase pressure on low-income households. The policy directly affects commuters, small vehicle owners, and fuel retailers nationwide.
The proposed system aims to deliver targeted subsidies while reducing overall fuel consumption through controlled distribution. Officials said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and relevant ministries completed testing of the mechanism. The government will decide whether to extend the scheme to small cars up to 800cc engines. The system is designed to be fully automated and efficient.
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Under the plan, users will register vehicles using their identity cards and generate digital fuel vouchers through a mobile application. Retailers will scan vouchers to verify quotas before dispensing fuel. If a user exceeds their limit, the system will automatically restrict supply. Authorities said the mechanism follows a model similar to previous subsidy programmes.
Meanwhile, petrol stations will install dedicated devices and maintain separate dispensers for subsidised fuel. The IT ministry is coordinating with manufacturers to supply required mobile devices for retailers. Oil marketing companies will assign focal persons at each station for monitoring and complaint handling. This ensures smooth implementation and accountability across the network.
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The initiative comes as Pakistan faces severe pressure from rising global oil prices and supply disruptions. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East and shipping issues in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified the crisis. Officials said the government is balancing subsidies with fiscal constraints while encouraging fuel conservation.