Pakistan expands fuel relief to more drivers
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Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar of Pakistan directed officials to fully implement the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme across the country.
Dar asked authorities to add all currently operating fuel stations to the program and remove those that are permanently closed or only sell diesel. The scheme, which began in Islamabad and then expanded nationwide on September 16, provides fuel subsidies to low-income citizens. The National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy met with Dar to review the program’s rollout.
Committee members reported that most fuel stations were already participating and citizens were using fuel tokens. They also approved a method for redeeming tokens via SMS in areas without internet access, using the number 9771 for registration. Officials from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the provinces will submit lists of operational stations to ensure their inclusion.
The State Bank of Pakistan confirmed that all payment claims from the last three days had been fully processed on the same day they were received. Dar also recently expanded the scheme to include 20-year-old motorcycles, rickshaws, and Qingqi rickshaws registered after January 1, 2006, with eligible motorcyclists receiving up to 2,000 rupees in monthly assistance.
