The Sindh government’s newly launched motorcycle fuel subsidy portal went offline within hours due to repeated hacking attempts, disrupting registrations for the Rs 2,000 monthly relief scheme. Officials say the system has now been secured and restored after temporary shutdown.
The portal, introduced a day earlier, allows registered motorcyclists to apply for the subsidy by submitting CNIC and bank account details online, with automated verification and payment processing.
Thousands of users reported access issues shortly after launch, with many unable to register as the platform remained unavailable for several hours.
Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla confirmed that authorities took the system offline as a precaution following multiple cyber intrusion attempts and later restored it after implementing security measures.
Initial data shows early traction despite disruption, with around 15,000 motorcycle registrations recorded, 3,000 completed applications, and payments of Rs 2,000 each disbursed to 1,500 beneficiaries through Sindh Bank accounts.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the programme targets a much larger base of 6.7 million registered motorcycles across Sindh, with each eligible owner set to receive Rs 2,000 per month under the subsidy initiative.
The temporary outage raises operational concerns as the government rolls out one of its key relief measures aimed at cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices on daily commuters.
For users, the disruption may delay access to subsidy payments and increase uncertainty around registration timelines if system stability issues persist during peak application periods.
The Sindh government launched the subsidy as part of a broader relief package to support low-income segments affected by higher petroleum prices, with digital disbursement through banking channels forming the backbone of the programme.