Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to make the SMS service used for registration under the petrol subsidy scheme free of charge. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting held to review arrangements for providing fuel relief to eligible citizens across Pakistan.
The targeted subsidy scheme will benefit owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi vehicles and cars with engine capacities of up to 800cc. The government has said the initiative is aimed at reducing the financial pressure caused by rising petrol prices, particularly for people who use small vehicles for daily travel and work.
The scheme is scheduled to begin in Islamabad during the night between September 14 and 15. Eligible citizens across the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, will start receiving relief during the night between September 16 and 17.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the chief commissioner, inspector general and other relevant officials in Islamabad to remain present in the field. They have been instructed to guide citizens and provide maximum assistance during registration and other procedures.
Public representatives and volunteers will also be mobilised to help eligible people understand the process and access the subsidy. The prime minister further ordered authorities to launch an extensive media awareness campaign across television, digital platforms and social media.
The campaign will explain the registration process, eligibility criteria and the steps required to obtain subsidised petrol. The government aims to ensure that citizens are not misled or forced to rely on unofficial agents for registration.
How to Register
Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima said eligible citizens can register from home by sending their details to 9771. The SMS must include the applicant’s 13-digit CNIC number, vehicle registration number, the first letter of the province where the vehicle is registered and the vehicle’s registration date.
The SIM used for registration must be registered in the applicant’s own name and linked to their CNIC. The information provided must match the official vehicle registration record. Incorrect SIM details or inaccurate vehicle information may lead to rejection.
The vehicle registration date will also be used as an additional verification step. Authorities say this will help confirm ownership documents and prevent fraudulent registrations involving stolen or improperly documented vehicles.
After successful registration, applicants will receive a confirmation message. Before visiting a petrol station, beneficiaries must send “TOK” to 9771 to obtain a fuel relief token. The token can then be presented at a participating petrol station to receive subsidised fuel.
Petrol Subsidy Limits
Motorcycle and three-wheeler users will qualify for subsidised petrol of up to 20 litres per month. Eligible cars with engine capacities of up to 800cc will qualify for up to 30 litres per month.
Motorcycle and three-wheeler users will receive fuel tokens for five litres at a time. This will provide a subsidy of Rs500 per transaction. Eligible small-car owners will receive tokens for 10 litres, offering a subsidy of Rs1,000 per transaction.
Motorcycle and three-wheeler users can receive the subsidy once a week, while eligible car owners can access it once every 10 days. Motorcycles up to 15 years old and cars up to 20 years old will qualify for the programme.
Shaza Fatima urged eligible citizens to register through the official SMS service and carefully check their information before submitting it. She also warned that incorrect CNIC, SIM or vehicle details could prevent successful registration.
