Petrol Relief Scheme: Free SMS service ordered for registration

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered authorities to make the SMS service used for petrol subsidy registration free of charge. The decision was announced during a high-level meeting reviewing arrangements for the government’s fuel relief scheme.

The move is aimed at making registration easier for people who may struggle to afford even the small cost of sending an SMS. Authorities have also been instructed to provide maximum assistance during the registration process.

The scheme is designed to support eligible motorcycle, rickshaw and small-car owners facing rising fuel costs. Vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc will qualify under the announced criteria.

Petrol subsidy scheme rollout across Pakistan

The petrol subsidy scheme is scheduled to begin in Islamabad during the night between September 14 and 15. Eligible citizens in other parts of the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, are expected to start receiving relief during the night between September 16 and 17.

The prime minister directed Islamabad’s chief commissioner, inspector general and other relevant officials to remain present in the field. Their role will be to guide citizens, address difficulties and help eligible applicants complete the required procedures.

Public representatives and volunteers will also be mobilised to assist people. The government wants the registration process to remain accessible, particularly for citizens who may not be familiar with digital or online procedures.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also called for an extensive media awareness campaign. He directed authorities to speed up public information efforts across television, other media platforms and social media.

The campaign is expected to explain who qualifies, how to register and what applicants must do before receiving subsidised fuel. Clear communication will be important to prevent confusion and reduce the risk of fraudulent registrations.

How to register for the petrol subsidy

According to Minister of State for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima, eligible citizens can register from home by sending their details to 9771.

Applicants must send their 13-digit CNIC number, vehicle registration number, first letter of the province where the vehicle is registered, and vehicle registration date.

The SIM card used for registration must be registered in the applicant’s own name and linked to their CNIC. This requirement is intended to help verify the identity of the person applying for the subsidy.

The vehicle registration date will serve as an additional verification step. Authorities will use it to help confirm that applicants possess the relevant vehicle documents and to reduce the risk of fraudulent or stolen-vehicle registrations.

Once registration is completed, applicants will receive a confirmation message. However, registration alone does not mean the applicant can immediately collect subsidised fuel.

Before visiting a petrol station, beneficiaries must send “TOK” to 9771 to obtain a fuel relief token. The token can then be presented at a petrol station to receive the subsidised petrol.

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Subsidy limits and fuel tokens

The government has set different subsidy limits for motorcycles, three-wheelers and small cars. Motorcycle and three-wheeler users will be eligible for subsidised petrol of up to 20 litres per month.

Cars with engine capacities of up to 800cc will qualify for subsidised petrol of up to 30 litres per month. The limits are intended to define how much fuel each eligible category can receive under the scheme.

Motorcycle and three-wheeler users will receive fuel tokens for five litres at a time. Each transaction will provide a subsidy of Rs500.

Eligible small-car users will receive tokens for 10 litres at a time, with a subsidy of Rs1,000 per transaction. These amounts represent the announced relief per approved fuel transaction.

The frequency of receiving the subsidy will also differ by vehicle category. Motorcycle and three-wheeler users can obtain the subsidy once a week, while eligible car users can avail themselves of it once every 10 days.

Vehicle age and registration requirements

The government has also announced vehicle age limits for the scheme. Motorcycles up to 15 years old and cars up to 20 years old will be eligible, subject to the other registration requirements.

Shaza Fatima urged eligible citizens to submit their details to 9771 and carefully check the information before sending it. Incorrect SIM information or inaccurate vehicle details may prevent successful registration.

Applicants should ensure that the CNIC, vehicle registration number and other required details are accurate. Any mismatch could delay verification or make the registration unsuccessful.

The government’s decision to make the SMS service free is intended to remove one of the initial barriers to registration. However, the scheme’s effectiveness will depend on how smoothly verification, token issuance and fuel distribution are managed.