Islamabad: (RightNow). Economic negotiations between Pakistan and the IMF continue. The IMF agrees to maintain the petrol subsidy but insists on not expanding it to more individuals.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a petrol relief scheme, providing discounts to motorcycle, rickshaw, and chingchi owners. The scheme offers a subsidy of Rs 100 per liter.

The federal government has included vehicles registered after January 1, 2026, in the scheme. Under the Prime Minister’s directive, a weekly discount of up to Rs 500 is decided.

Sources indicate the IMF suggests reducing health and education spending targets from 4.2 trillion to 3.9 trillion, questioning provinces’ ability to meet these targets.

It is notable that last fiscal year, provinces allocated less than the target for health and education. The negotiations also review reducing subsidies for electric vehicles.