The government has assured petroleum dealers that claims submitted under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme will be processed within 48 hours. The assurance came after the government and petroleum dealers reached an understanding on the payment mechanism for the relief programme.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met representatives of petroleum pump dealers’ associations on Thursday to explain how the scheme will be implemented. The meeting focused on the reimbursement process and concerns raised by dealers about timely payments.
Participants were informed that funds for three months of the Fuel Relief Scheme had already been earmarked. An amount of Rs25 billion for the first month has been provided to the State Bank of Pakistan to support timely payments to petroleum dealers participating in the programme.
The State Bank briefed representatives about the reimbursement procedure during the meeting. It assured petroleum dealers that claims submitted under the scheme would be processed within 48 hours, addressing one of the main concerns surrounding the implementation of the relief package.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications also provided details about the digital system developed to operate the scheme. The system is intended to support the processing of claims and facilitate participation by petrol pumps.
A dedicated control room has also been established to assist petroleum pumps and respond to questions or complaints related to the programme. Petrol pump operators can contact the control room at 9772 for assistance.
Representatives of petroleum pump and dealers’ associations welcomed the scheme and assured the government of their cooperation in putting it into operation. They also raised several questions about the practical and operational aspects of the payment mechanism during the meeting.
According to office bearers of the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, negotiations with the government have resolved the deadlock over the Fuel Relief Package. They said dealers have now started implementing the scheme.
The association also expressed hope that the agreed payment system would be implemented on time and help resolve concerns regarding reimbursement. Timely payments are particularly important for dealers participating in a programme that requires coordination between petrol pumps, the government and financial institutions.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of coordination between different stakeholders involved in the relief programme. The State Bank, relevant ministries and petroleum dealers all have roles in ensuring that the reimbursement process operates smoothly.
Ali Pervaiz Malik appreciated the cooperation extended by petroleum dealers. He stressed that coordination among all stakeholders would be important to ensure that the relief programme is implemented effectively, transparently and within the agreed timeframe.
With the payment mechanism now agreed, petroleum dealers are expected to continue their participation in the Fuel Relief Scheme. The government’s assurance of 48-hour claim processing is aimed at providing greater clarity over the reimbursement process and addressing concerns that had contributed to the earlier deadlock
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