The government has expanded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Fuel Relief Scheme, ordering all operational petrol stations to join the system and removing permanently closed and diesel-only outlets from its database. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar issued the instructions while chairing a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy on Saturday. Officials were directed to ensure that every fuel station that is open and operating is included in the scheme. Permanently closed stations and outlets that sell only diesel will be identified and removed. The committee was told that most fuel stations across Pakistan were already operating on the system and that citizens had begun redeeming fuel tokens. Registration continues nationwide through SMS to 9771. The committee also approved SMS-based token redemption at fuel stations in areas without internet access. Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the provinces were asked to provide lists of such stations so they can be added to the scheme. Petroleum Levy JI launches Karachi-Islamabad march after talks fail The State Bank of Pakistan told the meeting that all payment claims received during the previous three days had been settled in full. It said claims were being processed on the same day they were received. Dar welcomed the cooperation of provincial administrations and the central bank. He stressed that relief should reach eligible beneficiaries without unnecessary delays. Separately, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced further changes to the scheme. She said registration messages for eligible citizens would now be completely free. The government has also abolished the five-litre petrol limit attached to a single token. Motorcyclists, Qingqi owners and rickshaw operators who purchase less than five litres of petrol will receive Rs500 in relief within a week, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. One token will be issued each week, with four tokens available each month. Under the earlier structure, vehicles with engines up to 800cc qualify for a Rs100-per-litre discount on 10 litres of petrol every 10 days. Three such tokens can be issued each month. The government says petrol is being supplied at a subsidised rate under the Prime Minister’s Special Relief Scheme. Shaza Fatima said 91.6% of registrations had come from owners of two- and three-wheelers, while vehicles with engines up to 800cc accounted for 8.4%. She said 1,493,848 citizens had received fuel tokens, while 655,067 had already received subsidised fuel. The minister urged beneficiaries not to share personal information with anyone because of the risk of fraud. The government had earlier expanded eligibility to include older motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws. Motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws registered on or after 1 January 2006 are now eligible to register for the scheme. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to expand the scheme’s reach and ensure beneficiaries receive the subsidy without unnecessary hurdles. The latest changes are intended to simplify registration and redemption while increasing the number of fuel stations participating in the programme. Post navigation Petroleum Levy JI launches Karachi-Islamabad march after talks fail
