Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima announced significant revisions to the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme on Saturday, aimed at easing access for beneficiaries, especially motorcycle, rickshaw, and Qingqi users. The eligibility criteria have been expanded to include motorcycles registered from January 1, 2006, instead of the earlier cut-off year of 2011. This change responds to public and media feedback concerning older motorcycle eligibility.
In a notable adjustment, the previous five-litre petrol limit per Rs500 token for two- and three-wheelers has been eliminated. Now, eligible users of motorcycles, Qingqis, and rickshaws can purchase fuel based on their actual needs. Each beneficiary can obtain up to four tokens monthly, each worth Rs500. For instance, if two litres of petrol cost Rs780, the user would pay Rs280 after applying the relief token.
Another important update is the removal of SMS charges under the scheme, making SMS communication free for all vehicle owners, whether they drive an 800cc vehicle or a two- or three-wheeler. These measures aim to broaden the scheme’s reach and address challenges faced by citizens.
By 3pm on the announcement day, over 1.75 million registrations had been completed, with approximately 1.5 million tokens generated and more than 680,000 tokens redeemed at petrol stations. The government is closely tracking registration and redemption data, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally overseeing the scheme’s implementation.
A steering committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside an implementation committee, is coordinating efforts with relevant ministries, OGRA, the State Bank of Pakistan, and other bodies to resolve any operational issues. Additionally, a 24-hour control room has been set up at the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication to handle complaints and support users.
The minister cautioned citizens to be vigilant against fraud, emphasizing that the government does not charge for registration, SMS, or token issuance. She advised against sharing CNIC numbers, vehicle registration details, or other personal information with unauthorized individuals. Beneficiaries encountering difficulties at petrol stations or during registration can report issues by calling 9771. Petrol station operators can also use this helpline to report technical problems related to token validation.
Provincial and district administrations are assisting with scheme implementation, and informational banners about registration are displayed at petrol stations. To register, applicants must send an SMS to 9771 containing their CNIC number, vehicle registration number (without spaces), province code, and vehicle registration date. The inclusion of the registration date serves as an additional verification step to prevent unauthorized registrations.
Ownership of the vehicle is not mandatory if the user holds the relevant vehicle documents and custody. Eligible motorcycle, Qingqi, and rickshaw users can request their fuel relief token weekly by sending “TOK” to 9771, while car users follow a prescribed token schedule. The entire registration and complaint process uses standard SMS to ensure accessibility for those without smartphones or internet access.
In response to questions, Fatima stated that the government is continuously reviewing public feedback and will implement further improvements to enhance the scheme’s ease of use and accessibility for all citizens.
Leave an opinion