Govt details registration process for Rs100 petrol subsidy

The move came as the widening US-Iran conflict in the Middle East pushed global oil prices higher, while attacks from Yemen on Saudi energy facilities introduced a fresh source of market risk, adding to concerns over potential disruptions beyond Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

While sharing the details of the procedure during a press conference, the Information and Technology (IT) Minister Shaza Fatima said the scheme had been launched by the prime minister after consultation with all relevant agencies and was aimed at providing targeted relief to vehicle users.

She said that under the special relief scheme, users of motorcycles, rickshaws, Chingchis and vehicles with engines up to 800cc would receive a Rs100-per-litre subsidy on petrol, adding that two- and three-wheeler users would be eligible for 20 litres of subsidised petrol per month, while owners of vehicles with engines up to 800cc would be eligible for 30 litres per month.

Shaza said that the scheme would be implemented in two phases, beginning with registration and followed by the process of obtaining subsidised fuel. "Registration can be completed from home by sending an SMS to 9771.

Applicants will need to send their 13-digit CNIC number, the vehicle registration number, the first letter or full name of the province where the vehicle is registered, and the vehicle’s registration date," she said.

She added that the CNIC provided must be registered against the SIM being used for the application, as the information would be verified against Pakistan Telecommunication Authority data.

Shaza said that the province entered in the SMS must be the province where the vehicle was registered, rather than the applicant’s province of residence or domicile, saying that this was necessary because the same registration number could be issued by different excise departments in different provinces.

"The registration date will be used to establish that the applicant had the vehicle’s documentation and to help prevent stolen vehicles from being registered in the scheme,  she added. Shaza said the government had changed the eligibility requirement for motorcycles and three-wheelers so that users, rather than only registered owners, could apply.

She said this took into account the widespread use of vehicles under open transfer letters and informal ownership arrangements. "For cars, however, only the registered owner will be eligible to register for the subsidy. Once the required information has been sent to 9771, applicants will receive a confirmation message if their registration is successful.

Fatima said registration would be a one-time process," Shaza said. She further said that after registration, beneficiaries would be able to obtain subsidised petrol by sending TOK to 9771, and they would receive a token number that can be presented to a petrol station employee for verification.

"Motorcycle and three-wheeler users will receive tokens for five litres at a time, while car users will receive tokens for 10 litres. The five-litre transaction will carry a Rs500 discount, while the 10-litre transaction will carry a Rs1,000 discount," she said.

Shaza urged beneficiaries to check the quantity of fuel they received and ensure the applicable discount had been deducted from the total bill. She also warned people against scams, saying the government would not contact beneficiaries by phone, Whats.

App or SMS to demand money, an OTP, a code or additional registration information. “The Government of Pakistan will not in any form ask you for any data or any charges,” she said, urging people to remain vigilant.

Shaza said the scheme had been designed with checks and balances because it involved public funds, while the government would continue improving the system as it was rolled out.