PM special fuel scheme crosses 2.2m registrations, issues 1.9m tokens

Mettis Global reported that the Prime Minister's Special Fuel Scheme has drawn more than 2.2 million registrations, and roughly 1.9 million fuel relief tokens have now been issued. The scheme runs across the country, covering Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan as well, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ease the burden of rising petrol and diesel prices.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar told a press conference that about 92% of registered beneficiaries ride bikes, Qingqis or rickshaws. Roughly 1.8 million of the 1.9 million tokens went to two- and three-wheelers and rickshaws, while 152,000 were given to 800cc cars. Rickshaws, Qingqis and bikes registered after 2006 now qualify under relaxed terms, and SMS fees for registration were dropped after public and media feedback.

Applicants need not own the vehicle, only its registration number and date, and can sign up from a basic mobile phone via an SMS code. Roughly 500,000 people enrolled a day earlier, Tarar said. Tokens can be redeemed at fuel stations of every oil marketing company, with OGRA instructing petrol pumps and a war room at the Ministry of IT tracking redemptions at each station daily. The minister added that the programme is meant to help deserving people instead of granting a blanket subsidy to large vehicle owners.