PESHAWAR — In response to the recent surge in petrol prices, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has unveiled a special subsidy program for motorcyclists, providing financial relief amid rising fuel costs linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
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Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, rejecting the federal government’s petrol and diesel price hikes, announced that every registered motorcyclist in the province will receive a monthly grant of Rs 2,200. He emphasized that the provincial government will fully bear the cost of the relief scheme, which aims to support approximately 1.4 to 1.6 million motorcycle owners in KP.
عمران خان کے وژن کے مطابق وزیرِاعلیٰ خیبر پختونخوا محمد سہیل آفریدی کا صوبے کے تمام موٹرسائیکل سواروں کے لیے سبسڈی دینے کا اعلان
حکومت خیبر پختونخوا نے پٹرولیم مصنوعات کی بڑھتی قیمتوں کے اثرات کم کرنے کے لیے موٹرسائیکل سواروں کو سبسڈی دینے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/ZMn0XBzCvU
— Government of KP (@GovernmentKP) March 8, 2026
Speaking at a press conference, Afridi criticized the federal government’s price hike, describing it as akin to dropping a “petrol bomb” on the public. He urged Islamabad to curb unnecessary luxury spending and stressed the importance of consulting provinces before implementing such major economic decisions.
The Chief Minister also assured residents that Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) fares in the province would remain unchanged, ensuring commuters are not further burdened by the rising fuel costs.
While the subsidy amount has been confirmed, Afridi said the distribution method would be announced later. Options under consideration include direct bank transfers or a model similar to the Ehsaas Program, which has been widely used for disbursing financial assistance to vulnerable populations.
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The announcement comes after the federal government, on February 7, increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 55 per liter, citing rising international fuel costs amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. Afridi’s initiative is seen as a provincial effort to mitigate the economic impact on ordinary citizens while asserting KP’s stance on federal decision-making in energy pricing.