KARACHI: Petroleum dealers have started implementing the government’s fuel relief package following successful negotiations between the two sides, confirmed the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) on Thursday. A day earlier, the petroleum dealers had refused to sell petrol under the government’s newly launched Rs100-per-litre relief scheme for motorcyclists, rickshaw owners and drivers of vehicles up to 800cc, citing concerns over its implementation mechanism and financial burden.
Talking to journalists following successful negotiations with the government, All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association Vice Chairman Nauman Butt also confirmed that the authorities had addressed all their concerns regarding the fuel subsidy scheme.
He said petrol pump owners had no objection to the subsidy scheme, but had concerns over the mechanism for receiving the subsidy payments. Following talks with the government, those concerns have now been resolved, he added.
The vice chairman said that the government assured the association that the subsidy amount will be reimbursed within 24 hours, adding that payments would be made through the State Bank of Pakistan and the funds had already reached the central bank.
Earlier in the day, the SMS for registration in the petrol subsidy scheme has been made completely free of cost on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to a post shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on X, the premier has announced further facilitation for low- and middle-income groups under the fuel subsidy scheme.
Relief under the Prime Minister Fuel Subsidy Scheme is being extended to people across the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
To register, applicants need to send an SMS by typing REG, followed by a space, their CNIC number, vehicle number plate, the first letter of the province where the vehicle is registered, and the vehicle registration date to 9771.
The federal government on September 13 launched a special relief scheme providing Rs100 per litre discount on petrol for motorcyclists, rickshaw owners and drivers of vehicles up to 800cc, as the government moved to cushion the public from rising fuel prices driven by tensions in the Middle East.
Announcing the scheme, PM Shehbaz had said the government was fully aware of the burden rising oil prices had placed on the public and that the people would not be left alone in these difficult times.
“We are launching a special scheme to reduce the burden of rising fuel prices on those using motorcycles, rickshaws, Chingchis and small vehicles,” he had said.
Under the relief scheme, owners and users of motorcycles, rickshaws and other two- and three-wheeled vehicles will receive Rs100 per litre relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month. Owners of small vehicles up to 800cc engine capacity will receive Rs100 per litre relief on up to 30 litres of petrol per month. –Agencies
