The federal government has launched a targeted petrol relief scheme offering a discount of Rs100 per litre to eligible motorcycle, rickshaw, Qingqi and small-car users. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the programme as rising global oil prices increased pressure on consumers in Pakistan. The scheme covers motorcycles and other eligible two- and three-wheelers, as well as vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc. Eligible two- and three-wheeler users can receive the Rs100 per litre relief on up to 20 litres of petrol each month, while qualifying vehicles up to 800cc can receive the discount on up to 30 litres. This translates into maximum monthly relief of Rs2,000 for two- and three-wheelers and Rs3,000 for eligible small cars.
The government has introduced an SMS-based registration system so eligible applicants can complete the process from home without visiting a government office. Applicants need to send an SMS to 9771 containing their CNIC number, vehicle registration number, province code and vehicle registration date. The mobile number used for registration must be registered against the applicant’s own CNIC. The vehicle information will be checked against official registration records, while the province entered in the SMS must correspond to the province where the vehicle is registered. The province codes are I for Islamabad, A for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, G for Gilgit-Baltistan, S for Sindh, P for Punjab, K for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and B for Balochistan. The registration format is REG CNIC Vehicle Number Province Code Registration Date, after which applicants receive a confirmation message if the registration is successful.
Registration alone does not automatically apply the petrol discount. After completing registration, beneficiaries must send TOK to 9771 before visiting a petrol station to receive a fuel-relief token. Motorcycle and three-wheeler users will receive the subsidy in five-litre transactions, while eligible car users can obtain relief in 10-litre transactions. A five-litre transaction provides a Rs500 discount, while a 10-litre transaction provides Rs1,000 in relief. Beneficiaries can present the token at a participating petrol station for verification and should check that the applicable discount has been deducted from their bill. The government has also introduced eligibility checks and vehicle data verification to limit duplicate or fraudulent claims. For motorcycles and three-wheelers, the government has adjusted eligibility so that users can apply rather than limiting the programme only to registered owners, taking into account vehicles commonly operated under informal ownership arrangements. For cars, registration is limited to the registered owner.
The petrol relief scheme is being rolled out in phases, with implementation beginning in Islamabad from the night of September 14-15 and nationwide implementation, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, scheduled from the night of September 16-17. The government says the programme is intended to provide targeted assistance to lower-income commuters affected by higher fuel prices. Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the simplified registration process was designed to allow a larger number of eligible people to benefit, while Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government would allocate Rs25 billion per month for the fuel relief scheme. Officials have also warned citizens about possible scams, stressing that the government will not ask beneficiaries for money, one-time passwords or additional personal information through calls, WhatsApp messages or other unofficial channels.
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