Shaza Fatima Khawaja says eligible users of rented motorcycles and rickshaws can benefit from the government’s Rs100-per-litre petrol relief scheme.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the Prime Minister’s special petrol relief scheme would also benefit people using rented motorcycles and rickshaws to earn their livelihoods.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Shaza Fatima said the government had revised the registration mechanism after reviewing shortcomings in the previous phase of the programme.
She said motorcycle ownership would not be mandatory for people using rented motorcycles or rickshaws. However, ownership of a vehicle with an engine capacity of up to 800cc would be required to qualify under that category.
The minister said many workers rely on rented motorcycles and rickshaws, while some vehicles are operated through open transfer letters or have been handed over to family members or employees. The revised mechanism was intended to prevent such circumstances from unnecessarily excluding genuine beneficiaries.
Under the scheme, eligible citizens will receive a Rs100-per-litre discount on petrol. Motorcycle and Qingqi users will be eligible for up to 20 litres per month, while eligible owners of vehicles up to 800cc can receive relief on up to 30 litres per month.
SMS-Based Registration
The government has introduced an SMS-based system so applicants do not need a smartphone or internet connection to register.
Citizens must send their CNIC number, vehicle registration number, province and registration date to 971 using the prescribed format. The SIM used for registration must be registered against the applicant’s own CNIC.
The system will verify the applicant’s mobile number and vehicle details through the relevant provincial Excise department. Shaza Fatima said specifying the province was essential because identical registration numbers can exist across different jurisdictions.
After successful registration, eligible citizens will send TOK to 9771 to receive a fuel token. The token will then be presented and verified at a participating petrol station before subsidised petrol is provided.
The minister said vehicle verification had been automated in coordination with provincial transport and Excise departments.
She acknowledged that some applicants could initially face difficulties entering information but stressed that the verification process was necessary to prevent fraudulent claims and protect public funds.
A dedicated helpline has also been established to assist petrol stations with connectivity and application-related problems, ensuring technical issues do not prevent eligible citizens from receiving the relief.