Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved another change to the government’s Rs100 per litre petrol relief scheme. The decision was made after receiving feedback from people across Pakistan.
Motorcycle, Qingqi and rickshaw users who buy less than five litres of petrol at a time will now also be able to receive the subsidy. Previously, users had to purchase five litres of petrol to benefit from the scheme.
Eligible users can now receive relief of up to Rs500 through one token each week. They can receive four tokens every month. Users do not have to purchase the full five litres at once to benefit from the weekly token.
Relief for motorcycles and rickshaws
The government’s fuel relief scheme provides a subsidy of Rs100 per litre to eligible motorcycle, rickshaw, Qingqi and small car owners.
The scheme was introduced after a sharp increase in global oil prices. It was first launched in Islamabad and was later extended across Pakistan. The scheme also covers Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz had earlier approved another change to the scheme. Motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws up to 20 years old were allowed to join the programme. These vehicles can be registered if they were registered after January 1, 2006.
The government has also made registration messages free. Applicants no longer have to pay an SMS charge when registering through the 9771 service.
However, there is no change in the subsidy for eligible cars with an engine capacity of up to 800cc.
These motorists will continue to receive a Rs100 per litre discount on 10 litres of petrol every 10 days. They can receive three tokens each month. This gives them subsidised access to a total of 30 litres of petrol every month.
Eligible users can register their vehicles through the SMS-based system. Once registered, they can request a fuel token by sending TOK to 9771. They can then present the token at a petrol station to receive the discount.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Shehbaz Sharif is personally monitoring the scheme. Authorities have also been directed to set up facilitation desks. Administration officials, volunteers and petrol pump staff will help people access the subsidy.
How many Pakistanis have registered for Petrol relief?
Around one million Pakistanis have registered for the Prime Minister’s Petrol Relief Scheme, according to State Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja.
Payments to petrol stations under the scheme have also started. A total of 868 petrol pumps received Rs12.2365 million for claims related to September 16.
The Petrol Pump Owners Association said the full amount claimed by these 868 petrol stations had been paid. The money was transferred to their respective accounts.
