PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s special fuel relief scheme attempts to address gap through targeted assistance. Under the programme, eligible motorcycles, Qingqis and rickshaws can receive weekly relief of Rs. 500. Eligible users can now receive weekly relief even when their actual purchase is below five liters. This change recognizes an obvious economic reality. Low-income workers may deliberately purchase small quantities of fuel because cash flow is limited. This is particularly important for lower- and middle-income households, which form an essential part of Pakistan’s economic structure. Their contribution is visible in factories, shops, workshops, transport services, delivery networks and countless small businesses. They contribute through their labour, skills, taxes and consumption. Yet many people in this broad economic segment fall outside traditional social-assistance programmes because they do not belong to the poorest categories while simultaneously lacking the financial cushion enjoyed by higher-income households.

The eligibility criteria have also been widened following public feedback. Motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqis up to 20 years old are included, meaning vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2006, can qualify. This limit of 20 years should be increased up-to 30 years. It will benefit more deserving families. This is significant because lower-income households frequently depend on older vehicles........

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