Fuel relief scheme to go nationwide at midnight tomorrow

The Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme, already operational in Islamabad, will be rolled out across the country at midnight on September 16, the office of the deputy prime minister said on Tuesday. A day earlier, the government detailed the process for applying for its targeted petrol subsidy, announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a special relief scheme offering a Rs100-per-litre reduction in petrol prices for motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws and cars with engines of up to 800cc. A statement issued today by the office of DPM Ishaq Dar said he chaired a meeting to review administrative arrangements for the nationwide rollout and directed authorities to ensure that registration remained “simple and accessible” for eligible beneficiaries. The meeting's members were informed that the fuel relief scheme was already operational in Islamabad and would be rolled out across Pakistan a minute before 12am on Wednesday. Read: Sindh Assembly unanimously passes resolution seeking reduction in petroleum prices Dar also called for effective public outreach and smooth implementation of the scheme at petrol stations, according to an official statement. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting on administrative follow-up of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme today. The DPM/FM stressed that registration must remain simple and accessible to ensure maximum benefit to the… pic.twitter.com/ZQS8aMknMM — Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (@DPM_PK) September 15, 2026 In line with the prime minister’s directions, the deputy prime minister urged elected representatives to disseminate information about the scheme and facilitate registration among eligible citizens. He further directed that volunteers of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme be engaged in public awareness and registration activities to ensure wider access to the relief initiative. DPM Dar also called for effective coordination among all relevant stakeholders to ensure that eligible beneficiaries face no difficulties in availing the monetary relief. The meeting was attended by the ministers for information and broadcasting, information technology (IT) and parliamentary affairs, state for finance, special assistant to the prime minister, IT secretary and members of the National Assembly from Islamabad Capital Territory. Dar also chaired the 9th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to review the nationwide rollout of the Prime Minister’s Special Relief Scheme. "Registration is now open nationwide through SMS to 9771. Redemption of fuel tokens will commence at midnight between Wednesday and Thursday," said a statement from his office, adding that he directed that payments to fuel stations be settled within 24 hours through the State Bank of Pakistan and instructed provinces to complete district-level outreach to ensure seamless delivery of relief to the intended beneficiaries. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired the 9th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to review the nationwide rollout of the Prime Minister’s Special Relief Scheme. Following the successful Islamabad pilot, the… pic.twitter.com/urq5BPFEDr — Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (@DPM_PK) September 15, 2026 Targeted fuel relief scheme to benefit low-income motorists Separately, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik said the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme had been designed primarily to support low-income citizens, including delivery riders, rickshaw drivers and families dependent on motorcycles and small cars. Addressing a press conference, the minister said eligible motorcycle users would receive Rs100 per litre in fuel relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month, providing maximum monthly assistance of Rs2,000. Meanwhile, owners of small cars would be eligible for relief on up to 30 litres of petrol, translating into Rs3,000 in monthly assistance, he added. The minister observed the targeted initiative was aimed at cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices on people who rely on motorcycles, rickshaws and small vehicles for their livelihoods and essential daily travel. He said delivery riders were among those hit hardest by rising fuel prices, as they continued to cover the same distances while their fuel expenses had increased significantly. “Rs2,000 can make a significant difference to a low-income delivery rider’s household,” the minister said, adding that the amount could help families meet basic expenses such as food, milk and eggs. He also cited the example of a woman who drives a Qingqi rickshaw to support her family, saying the monthly fuel relief could help her pay her child’s school fee. Similarly, a worker who drives an 800cc car to a factory, while his wife uses the same vehicle to take their children to school, would receive up to Rs3,000 in monthly fuel relief, Malik said. Read more: JI announces Sept 20 long march on Islamabad over petroleum levy The minister said the government had opted for “targeted assistance” instead of reducing petrol prices for all consumers because of the country’s economic constraints. He linked the recent increase in domestic fuel prices to a sharp rise in international crude oil prices, which had climbed from around $55-65 per barrel to above $100 amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. “The price of oil has not come down, and the war has not stopped,” Malik said, adding that the government was attempting to absorb part of the external shock and protect vulnerable segments of society. Clarifying the government’s position on fuel levies, he said the petroleum levy stood at Rs80 per litre, while the carbon levy was Rs5 per litre, bringing the combined amount to Rs85. “The relief under the scheme, however, was Rs100 per litre [within prescribed limit of use].” Malik acknowledged that the assistance would not fully offset the impact of higher fuel prices but said it represented the maximum burden the national economy could currently absorb. The minister said the scheme had initially been launched in Islamabad and would be extended to all four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan soon. “Under the scheme, motorcycle users would receive five litres of subsidised petrol every week, while eligible car users would be entitled to 10 litres every 10 days.” He said eligible consumers would first register by sending an SMS to 9771. Following registration, they would receive a token through a subsequent SMS process, which could then be presented at a petrol station to obtain fuel at the subsidised rate. Information stalls would also be established at various locations to assist citizens with registration and address problems related to the scheme, he added. Malik said the government’s priority was to shield low-income households from external economic shocks and provide the maximum possible relief within the country’s available resources.