PM’s fuel subsidy scheme faces first-day hurdles at petrol pumps

Dawn reported that the prime minister's fuel subsidy scheme hit obstacles on Thursday, its first day of national operation. Numerous petrol stations said they lacked the systems needed to sell fuel at Rs100 per litre cheaper, so they would not accept the digital app. After complaints piled up, IT Minister Shaza Fatima toured several fuel outlets in Rawalpindi to confirm that registered buyers could get subsidised fuel.

The dealers' body, the PPDA, had earlier voiced worry that members did not understand how subsidies would be paid out. At a Thursday meeting with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the State Bank of Pakistan said reimbursement claims would be processed within 48 hours, and a control room was set up on 9772 for pump queries. Officials also said Rs25 billion had already been provided to the SBP for the first month, with funds earmarked for three months in total.

Separately, the Oil Companies Advisory Committee cautioned that supply could be disrupted unless Rs67 billion in pending price differential claims, outstanding since March 2026, were settled. In a letter to the Ogra chairman, the OCAC said the amount equals five imported petrol cargoes and that oil companies are no longer able to finance an uninterrupted supply chain. It also called for a revision of OMC margins, last changed in September 2023, and notification of an approved Rs1.22 per litre increase.