Government Plans App-Based Fuel Rationing System as Subsidy Costs Rise

By Tanveer Ahmed

The federal government is preparing to introduce a digital system to ration petrol and diesel through a dedicated mobile application, as part of efforts to manage fuel consumption and rising subsidy costs.

Officials said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to brief President Asif Ali Zardari on the proposal and seek his support for involving provincial governments in sharing the financial burden of fuel subsidies.

According to sources quoted by ProPakistani, the proposed mobile application would require users to register their vehicle registration number and national identity card details. Based on assessed consumption patterns and fuel availability, the system would allocate a daily quota of petrol or diesel to each registered user.

Consumers would then be allowed to purchase fuel within their assigned limits.

Rising Fuel Consumption

Officials say the proposal follows an analysis of petroleum consumption over the past year, which found that overall fuel usage has continued to increase despite higher retail prices.

The government is therefore exploring a quota-based system aimed at regulating demand and ensuring more controlled distribution of petroleum products.

Provinces May Share Subsidy Costs

Separately, the prime minister is scheduled to meet President Zardari at Aiwan-i-Sadr to discuss plans for involving provincial governments in financing fuel subsidies.

Sources say the federal government has already spent about Rs100 billion on subsidies to keep petroleum prices lower for consumers across the country.

Authorities are now seeking contributions from provincial administrations to help sustain the subsidy programme and reduce pressure on federal finances.

During the meeting, the prime minister is also expected to brief the president on the proposed digital fuel rationing system and the broader plan to expand provincial participation in subsidy funding.

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