New debate on cheaper bike petrol

Last week, Planning Commission held a meeting for discussion on introducing a special fuel for motorcycles, which should fit the pockets of motorcycle users, who are typically low-income, lower middle class persons. The issue has been on the table of policymakers for several years now. With the increase in petrol prices, subsequent to the rupee depreciation, the issue has acquired more urgency and importance. As is the general opinion about Pakistan being an elitist state, petrol supply chain is also geared for higher income car owning people, even though almost 40-50% of petrol is consumed by motorcycles. It is true that petrol market worldwide is geared towards cars as in almost all advanced countries, cars are the major consumer category. In developing countries including Pakistan, motorcycles are a major category. This is not to suggest that petrol market should ignore cars, however, motorcycle users’ needs and pockets should be kept in view. If it is an unregulated free market, hopefully, the issue would have been cared for already. If the oil industry is not sensitive to the needs of 50% of the petrol market, politicians would be in these days of high political competition.