Islamabad (Web Desk): Federal Ministers including Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, during a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, shared the details regarding the registration process for Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme.
Addressing the press conference, IT Minister Shaza Fatima said that the government has introduced a special package to provide relief to low-income and vulnerable segments of society in the wake of rising petroleum prices.
Federal Minister Shaza Fatima said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved a fuel subsidy of Rs100 per litre for motorcycle riders and owners of vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc.
Under the initiative, motorcycle users will receive relief on up to 20 litres of fuel per month, while owners of small cars will be eligible for the subsidy on up to 30 litres.
She said the government was working to ensure that as many citizens as possible could benefit from the package. Those seeking registration for the programme have been advised to send a message to 9711.
Applicants will be required to provide their name, vehicle registration number and province, while the motorcycle or vehicle must be registered in the applicant’s own name to qualify for the relief.
Shaza Fatima further directed citizens to obtain a token after registration by sending a message to 9771 and to keep it secure. Beneficiaries will be required to present the token received from 9771 at petrol stations in order to avail themselves of the fuel relief.
The IT minister also warned citizens against fraud and scams, stressing that the government would never ask anyone for information related to their token. She urged citizens not to share their token number with anyone under any circumstances.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the relief initiative was specifically introduced to assist deserving members of society and ease some of the financial pressure they are facing under the current circumstances.
He said that all options will be used to ensure greater awareness about the scheme.
The minister also pointed out that austerity measures were being pursued as part of the government’s broader efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said the current situation in the region was evident to everyone, adding that the government was taking all possible measures to address the challenges. He said the Prime Minister had introduced the fuel relief scheme to extend support to financially vulnerable sections of society.
According to Ali Pervaiz Malik, Pakistan imports nearly 90 per cent of its energy requirements. Despite this dependence, he said, the government was making every possible effort to provide relief to the public.
He added that, under the prevailing circumstances, people would also need to manage their expenditures according to their available resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said that the government would provide Rs25 billion for the fuel relief scheme.
The petroleum minister further said the Prime Minister had provided Rs130 billion in subsidies to the public, while the ongoing war in the Middle East continued with no immediate signs of coming to an end.