ISLAMABAD: More than 4.7 million Pakistani motorists have received subsidized fuel under the government’s newly eased relief scheme within just the first eight days of its launch, Information Technology and Telecommunications Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced on Friday. The initiative aims to support low-income households grappling with surging fuel prices, with authorities recently loosening criteria to accelerate outreach.
The scheme was established to shield vulnerable drivers from the economic impact of the US-Iran conflict, which began in February and disrupted critical shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz. Following a minor reduction on Friday, petrol is currently priced at Rs389.28 ($1.40) per liter, representing an almost 46 percent surge compared to the pre-conflict rate of Rs266.17 ($0.96) per liter.
Khawaja highlighted the program’s rapid adoption, noting that approximately 5.8 million individuals have registered, generating over 6.1 million digital tokens, with 4.7 million successfully redeemed at service stations across the country. “These encouraging figures were achieved in just eight days,” she stated, emphasizing the role of the ministry’s digital infrastructure in managing the phone-based registration and token distribution system.
Under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme, motorcycle, autorickshaw, and Qingqi motorcycle rickshaw owners are entitled to a weekly discount of 500 rupees ($1.80) on petrol. Car owners with engines up to 800cc can access 10 liters of fuel every ten days, receiving a subsidy of 100 rupees ($0.36) per liter. Following public feedback, the prime minister removed an earlier 5-liter weekly limit for motorcycles and expanded eligibility to riders using rented or borrowed vehicles, provided their registered SIM card matches their national ID card.
“Many motorcycle riders spend 800, 900, or 1,000 rupees ($2.81, $3.25, or $3.61) on petrol weekly, so securing 500 rupees ($1.80) of subsidized fuel weekly is a massive relief,” Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance, stated during the conference. Kayani noted that riders can now register directly on-site at petrol stations using only their national ID card and the vehicle’s registration certificate.
Khawaja urged petrol station owners to assist customers with the registration process as daily numbers continue to climb, directing users to the helpline at 9771 for any complaints or assistance. Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel, has faced repeated price volatility since the geopolitical tensions in the region escalated.
