PM Shehbaz Orders Strict Action Against Pumps Denying Fuel Relief to Beneficiaries

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reviewed the Fuel Relief Programme and ordered the cancellation of licences of petrol pumps that refuse subsidised fuel to registered beneficiaries.

He chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad. He said he was satisfied with the programme’s progress and transparency. Easier registration and payment steps have helped more people join, he noted.

The prime minister called the technology-based scheme a possible game changer for future welfare projects.

The meeting was told that 15,519,282 citizens have registered so far. Of them, 15.06 million own motorcycles, while 449,000 own vehicles up to 800cc.

Officials said 63,153,685 subsidy tokens have been issued, and 59,445,347 of them have been redeemed. Total payouts reached Rs 28.6 billion as of November 4.

Shehbaz Sharif praised IT Minister Shaza Fatima, Federal Secretary Zarrar Hashim Khan and their team. They built a monitoring system and dashboard that keeps the scheme under close watch.

Separate call centres now help consumers and petrol pump operators with their complaints.

The prime minister stressed that every registered person must get the promised relief. He ordered strict action against pumps that turn them away.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, several federal ministers and senior officials also attended the meeting.

The government launched the Fuel Relief Programme on September 13, when petrol prices rose because of tension in the Middle East. It offers a subsidy of Rs100 per litre to low- and middle-income families.

Motorcycle, rickshaw and Qingqi owners can buy up to 20 litres a month at the subsidised rate. Owners of vehicles up to 800cc can buy up to 30 litres.

Petroleum dealers first resisted the plan over how they would be repaid. They later agreed after talks with the government, which also eased the registration rules and added a complaint system.