Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the setup of facilitation desks at petrol stations to assist eligible citizens in registering for and accessing the government’s fuel subsidy program. This initiative aims to support low- and middle-income families facing rising petroleum prices.

During a meeting held on Wednesday to assess progress on the PM Special Relief Scheme, Sharif emphasized the importance of ensuring that citizens encounter no obstacles in obtaining the subsidy or completing the registration process. The facilitation desks will be staffed by administration representatives, volunteers, and petrol station employees who will guide applicants through registration and related procedures.

In a significant development, Sharif also called for widespread public awareness campaigns to clearly communicate the scheme’s eligibility criteria, registration steps, and other essential information in simple, accessible language.

The subsidy targets owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, and cars with engine capacities up to 800cc, as outlined in the briefing presented at the meeting. Officials highlighted that the registration process is straightforward, requiring only four key details: the applicant’s national identity card number, vehicle number plate, province of registration, and vehicle registration date.

Initially launched as a pilot in Islamabad, the scheme has now been expanded nationwide, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The briefing noted a steady increase in successful registrations, with provincial governments collaborating closely with the federal administration to implement the program across the country.

Comprehensive information about the scheme is available on the government’s official website. The subsidy was introduced to alleviate the financial burden on low- and middle-income groups caused by rising fuel prices, which have been influenced by tensions in the Gulf and their effects on global energy markets.

The government’s focus remains on individuals who depend on motorcycles, rickshaws, and small cars for daily transportation, aiming to reduce the impact of fuel cost increases on household budgets.

Prime Minister Sharif had previously inaugurated the pilot phase in Islamabad before extending the scheme to other regions. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ali Pervez Malik, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, and senior officials from relevant departments.