Govt begins disbursing subsidies via digital wallets

April 6, 2026 (MLN):  The government has started disbursing petroleum and transport subsidies through digital wallets to ensure transparency.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stated that immediate release of funds has already begun, ahead of the scheduled Monday rollout, according to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Passenger buses are receiving Rs. 100,000 per month, minibuses and wagons Rs. 40,000, while freight and delivery vehicles get Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 80,000 monthly to help control the prices of essential goods.

The Prime Minister, while chairing a meeting to review subsidy implementation amid regional tensions, was briefed on fuel reserves, consumption, and disbursement progress.

Although the subsidy program was scheduled to start Monday, it began on Saturday, a public holiday, on his special instructions. He thanked Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for depositing the provincial share and urged other provinces to do the same promptly.

He added that over the past three weeks, the government has provided a public relief package worth Rs. 129 billion, including reductions in petroleum levies, a Rs. 6 billion subsidy for Pakistan Railways, and withdrawal of the quarterly 25% toll tax hike.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of austerity and simplicity measures.

Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Dr. Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, special assistants Talha Burki and Tariq Bajwa, DG IB, and other senior officials.

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