The Government of Pakistan has launched the Prime Minister’s Special Fuel Relief Scheme across the country, offering a petrol subsidy of Rs100 per litre to eligible citizens. The scheme was introduced in response to rising petroleum prices and the financial pressure faced by lower-income households and daily commuters.
Under the programme, eligible users of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws and other two- and three-wheelers can receive fuel relief. Owners of cars with engines up to 800cc are also included in the scheme. The government says the programme is designed as a targeted subsidy so that the benefit reaches specific groups rather than being provided universally.
The Economic Coordination Committee approved Rs75 billion for the fuel relief programme. The scheme is limited to non-commercial users, with the relief restricted to one vehicle per eligible user or owner. A digital Fuel Pass System has been introduced to manage registration, tokens and payments to petrol stations.
How the Petrol Relief Works
For motorcycles and three-wheelers, the original structure provided relief of Rs100 per litre on up to 20 litres per month. Following feedback from citizens, the government later changed the system so that beneficiaries can receive a Rs500 weekly token and use it to purchase petrol in smaller quantities.
The government also removed the earlier requirement that beneficiaries had to purchase at least five litres in a single transaction. This means people who cannot afford to purchase five litres at once can still use the weekly relief token.
The eligibility age for two- and three-wheelers was also increased from 15 to 20 years.
For vehicles up to 800cc, the existing arrangement provides a Rs1,000 relief token every 10 days, based on a maximum of 10 litres at Rs100 per litre, with three such tokens available during a month.
Registration and Digital Tokens
The government introduced a digital registration and token system to make the process easier and more transparent. Eligible citizens can register using SMS, while fuel tokens are also generated digitally.
According to government information, applicants can register by sending the required vehicle and identification details to 9771. After registration, a token can be requested before visiting a participating petrol station.
The government has also announced that the registration SMS service would be made free for eligible citizens.
Citizens Report Difficulties
Although the relief programme has now been launched nationwide, its implementation has faced practical challenges.
Government officials have reviewed complaints and public feedback regarding registration, token redemption and payments to petrol stations. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar directed officials to establish a round-the-clock complaint and technical support mechanism so that eligible citizens are not unnecessarily turned away.
Internet connectivity has also been identified as an issue in some remote areas. The government has therefore directed officials to establish alternative arrangements for petrol stations in locations with limited or no internet access, including parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other remote rural areas.
The government has further instructed that petrol stations should not deduct any service charge from the value of the relief token.
Government Expands the Relief Mechanism
Following feedback received during the initial rollout, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to expand the scope of beneficiaries and make the process more convenient.
The latest government update on September 19 states that the scheme is now operational across Pakistan and that eligible consumers are receiving petrol with a Rs100-per-litre subsidy. The government says it is continuing to monitor implementation and make adjustments based on public feedback.
The programme is particularly significant for motorcycle and rickshaw users because many daily commuters and workers depend on these vehicles for transportation and employment. By reducing the effective cost of petrol for eligible users, the scheme is intended to reduce some of the immediate impact of higher fuel prices.
However, the effectiveness of the programme will depend not only on the announced subsidy but also on how smoothly registration, token issuance and redemption work at petrol stations across the country.
For citizens, the key issue is now access: eligible users need a simple registration process, reliable digital tokens and petrol stations that can process the subsidy without unnecessary delays.
As the scheme continues, the government is expected to monitor complaints, registration numbers and fuel-station payments while making further adjustments where necessary.
The Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme therefore represents a major government effort to provide targeted assistance during a period of higher fuel costs. Its nationwide rollout is now underway, while officials continue working on the technical and administrative issues reported during the early stages of implementation.