Around 7.6 million consumers have registered while 7.71 million fuel tokens have been redeemed since the scheme’s nationwide rollout.
ISLAMABAD — WEB DESK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the need for continued coordination among government institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Special Fuel Relief Scheme across Pakistan.
Dar chaired a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy on Tuesday after returning from New York. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the scheme, including beneficiary registration, fuel-token issuance and redemption, payments and complaint-resolution mechanisms.
7.6 Million Consumers Registered
Officials informed the meeting that around 7.6 million consumers had successfully registered under the scheme.
The committee was also told that 7.71 million fuel tokens had been redeemed since the nationwide rollout, with the redemption process now in its second week.
Dar expressed satisfaction with the progress and attributed the implementation to coordinated efforts by relevant government institutions.
The meeting acknowledged the role of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Petroleum, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), State Bank of Pakistan and provincial governments.
SMS Fuel Token Redemption
The committee also approved the redemption of fuel tokens through SMS by sending a message to 9771 for fuel stations located in areas without internet access.
The measure is intended to facilitate beneficiaries in areas where digital connectivity may create difficulties in accessing the scheme.
Scheme Rolled Out Nationwide
The Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme was expanded nationwide on September 16 after initially operating in Islamabad.
On September 19, Dar directed authorities to ensure that all operational fuel stations were brought onto the system, while permanently closed stations and outlets dealing exclusively in diesel were to be removed from the list.
The government has also expanded eligibility under the scheme. Motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws that meet the applicable criteria were included, while the government later removed the previous five-litre monthly relief ceiling.
Government Plans Continued Relief
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said on September 28 that the government could continue the fuel subsidy system for up to 10 months, if necessary, with between Rs400 billion and Rs500 billion potentially diverted from the budget for public relief, according to the Express Tribune report.
Dar has now called for continued coordination between relevant institutions to facilitate eligible beneficiaries and ensure uninterrupted provision of services under the scheme.
The latest meeting comes as the government continues to manage the fuel-relief programme amid elevated fuel prices and public concerns over the cost of petroleum products.
