The government has announced the procedure for obtaining a Rs100-per-litre petrol subsidy under a special relief scheme for motorcyclists, rickshaw and Chingchi owners and users of vehicles up to 800cc.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the scheme on Sunday to provide relief to people affected by rising fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East.
Following a price increase announced on Friday, petrol is currently being sold at Rs375.82 per litre, while high-speed diesel costs Rs403.32 per litre after increases of Rs5.02 and Rs5.28 per litre, respectively.
The prime minister said the government was aware of the burden caused by rising oil prices and would not leave the people alone in 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 said.
Who is eligible for the relief?
The scheme covers motorcycles, rickshaws, Chingchis and other two- and three-wheeled vehicles, as well as small vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 800cc.
Owners and users of motorcycles, rickshaws, Chingchis and other two- and three-wheelers will receive Rs100 per litre relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month.
Those owning or using vehicles with an engine capacity of up to 800cc will receive the same Rs100 per litre relief on up to 30 litres per month.
How can eligible citizens register?
The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has issued the procedure for registration under the relief scheme.
Citizens seeking to register their vehicle must send an SMS containing “REG” followed by their CNIC number to 9771.
The registration message must also include the vehicle number, provincial code and registration date, according to the ministry.
Registration for the scheme has been launched with immediate effect, while the government will also conduct an awareness campaign to explain the process to the public.
After successful registration, eligible citizens will be able to obtain a fuel token by sending “TOK” to 9771. The fuel token can then be shown at participating petrol stations to obtain petrol at the subsidised rate.
When will the relief start?
The scheme will begin in Islamabad from the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.
In the rest of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the relief will become available from the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.
