Government removes five-litre limit from PM fuel relief scheme

Five-litre limit removed

The government has announced major changes to the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme to make the petrol relief scheme easier for beneficiaries, particularly motorcycle, rickshaw and Qingqi users.

Under the revised fuel relief token system, the previous five-litre petrol limit has been removed. Eligible users can now purchase petrol according to their requirements while receiving the fixed relief amount.

The change gives more flexibility to people using the motorcycle fuel subsidy, rickshaw fuel relief and Qingqi fuel scheme.

The government says the revised petrol subsidy Pakistan programme is intended to address difficulties reported by citizens.

More relief for older vehicles

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima announced that motorcycles registered from January 1, 2006, will now qualify for the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme.

Previously, motorcycles registered from 2011 were eligible. The wider petrol relief scheme eligibility means older motorcycles can now also receive assistance.

Each eligible two- and three-wheeler user can receive four fuel relief token allocations per month, with each token carrying Rs500 in relief.

The government has also removed the five-litre petrol limit attached to each token. This means beneficiaries using the motorcycle fuel subsidy, rickshaw fuel relief or Qingqi fuel scheme are not restricted to buying exactly five litres.

Read Also: Petrol subsidy registration made free, here’s how to apply

SMS charges removed

Another major change is that SMS charges have been removed for all beneficiaries under the petrol subsidy Pakistan programme.

“SMS has been made free for everyone, whether they own an 800cc vehicle or a two or three-wheeler,” Shaza Fatima said.

The government said the SMS 9771 service will remain available so people without smartphones or internet access can also register and use the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme.

The free SMS 9771 facility is expected to make the petrol relief scheme more accessible, particularly for people who rely on basic mobile phones.

Registration and token details

Applicants can register by sending their CNIC number, vehicle registration number, province code and vehicle registration date through SMS 9771.

The vehicle registration number must be entered without spaces. The registration date has been added as an additional verification measure.

Eligible motorcycle, Qingqi and rickshaw users can send “TOK” to 9771 once a week to obtain a fuel relief token.

Under the revised motorcycle fuel subsidy, eligible users can receive four tokens every month. The rickshaw fuel relief and Qingqi fuel scheme follow the same revised token structure.

The government has also confirmed that the five-litre petrol limit no longer applies to these tokens.

Registrations cross 1.75 million

According to Shaza Fatima, more than 1.75 million registrations had been completed by 3pm, while around 1.5 million fuel relief token allocations had been generated.

More than 680,000 tokens had already been redeemed at petrol stations.

The government is monitoring the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme through relevant ministries, OGRA, the State Bank of Pakistan and other institutions.

The minister said the petrol relief scheme was being reviewed continuously to resolve implementation problems.

The petrol subsidy Pakistan programme also has a 24-hour control room to receive complaints from citizens and petrol stations.

Read Also: PM's fuel relief scheme expands to 20-year-old bikes and rickshaws

Fraud warning for beneficiaries

Officials have warned beneficiaries not to pay anyone for registration or tokens. The government has said that registration, SMS 9771 services and token issuance do not require additional charges.

“No one should pay anyone for registration, tokens or information about the scheme,” the minister said.

Citizens have been advised not to share their CNIC numbers, vehicle registration details or other personal information with unauthorised people.

People facing problems with the motorcycle fuel subsidy, rickshaw fuel relief or Qingqi fuel scheme can contact the helpline at 9771.

The same helpline can be used by petrol station operators facing technical problems with token validation.

The government said further changes could be introduced after reviewing public feedback on the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme, petrol relief scheme and petrol subsidy Pakistan programme.