PM orders action against pumps refusing subsidised fuel

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to cancel the licences of petrol stations that refuse to supply subsidised fuel to eligible consumers registered under the government’s Fuel Relief Programme. He issued the instruction while reviewing the scheme’s progress during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Thursday.

Officials briefed the prime minister on registration, token redemption and subsidy payments made through the programme. The meeting was informed that 15,519,282 people had registered, including approximately 15.06 million motorcycle owners and 449,000 owners of vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc.

According to figures presented at the meeting, the programme had issued 63,153,685 subsidy tokens, of which 59,445,347 had been redeemed. Total disbursements reached Rs28.6 billion by November 4, indicating extensive use of the relief facility among registered vehicle owners.

The prime minister said simpler registration and payment procedures had increased participation and allowed more eligible citizens to access the subsidy. He expressed satisfaction with the programme’s implementation and described its technology-supported structure as a possible model for delivering future public-welfare initiatives transparently.

A monitoring mechanism and digital dashboard have been developed to track the scheme and oversee subsidy distribution. Separate call centres have also been established for consumers and petrol-station operators, allowing both groups to report problems and seek assistance with registration, token processing or reimbursement.

Shehbaz said registered beneficiaries must receive the relief promised under the programme and called for strict action against outlets that deny subsidised fuel. His licence-cancellation directive places responsibility on participating petrol stations to honour valid subsidy tokens and comply with the programme’s operating requirements.

The government launched the programme on September 13 as rising petroleum prices increased pressure on household budgets. Under the scheme, eligible consumers receive a subsidy of Rs100 per litre. Motorcycle, rickshaw and Qingqi owners can obtain subsidised petrol for up to 20 litres each month, while owners of vehicles with engines of up to 800cc qualify for a monthly allowance of 30 litres.

Petroleum dealers initially raised concerns about the reimbursement mechanism, but the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association later agreed to participate following negotiations with the government. Authorities subsequently relaxed some eligibility and registration requirements and introduced complaint-handling arrangements for consumers and fuel retailers.

The review meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik and other federal ministers and advisers. The government will now be expected to enforce compliance at participating outlets while maintaining timely reimbursement and an accessible complaints process.