All Operating Fuel Stations Ordered Into PM's Petrol Relief Scheme

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directed authorities on Saturday to bring every operational petrol station across Pakistan into the prime minister's fuel relief system as the government moved to address implementation problems reported during the scheme's nationwide rollout. Stations that are permanently closed or sell only diesel are to be identified and removed from the programme's list.

The directive was issued during a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy, which reviewed how the programme was functioning after consumers and petrol retailers encountered difficulties during its initial implementation. Officials told the meeting that most fuel stations across the country had already been connected to the system and eligible citizens were redeeming their fuel tokens.

Registration for the programme is continuing through the 9771 SMS service. The committee also approved an alternative method allowing fuel tokens to be redeemed through SMS at petrol stations located in areas where internet connectivity is unavailable or unreliable. Provincial authorities, along with the administrations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, were asked to identify such stations so they can be added without delay.

The State Bank of Pakistan informed the committee that payment claims submitted under the programme during the previous three days had been fully settled. According to the briefing, claims received on each day were processed on the same day, an arrangement intended to ensure that participating fuel retailers are reimbursed promptly and that consumers do not face interruptions when using their subsidy entitlement.

The relief programme was announced earlier in September as the government sought to reduce the impact of sharply higher petroleum costs on lower-capacity vehicle users. Under the scheme, owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws, three-wheelers and cars with engines of up to 800cc are eligible for relief of Rs100 per litre of petrol, subject to the rules and limits established for different vehicle categories.

The government subsequently broadened eligibility by allowing motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws up to 20 years old to participate. The revised structure also eased weekly usage restrictions, giving eligible motorists greater flexibility in redeeming their allotted support. The changes followed complaints that some intended beneficiaries were struggling to access the programme despite meeting its basic eligibility criteria.

Implementation problems became evident during the first day of the nationwide rollout when some petrol stations declined to process digital subsidy transactions, saying they did not yet have the required system in place. The latest directive is intended to close those gaps by expanding participation to all functioning stations and establishing an SMS-based option where digital connectivity remains an obstacle.

The fuel relief initiative comes as Pakistan faces higher energy costs linked to disruptions in major international oil supply routes and renewed instability in the Middle East. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring registrations, retailer reimbursements and token redemption while provincial administrations identify remaining petrol stations that need to be integrated into the system.