The federal government has relaxed the conditions of the Prime Minister’s Special Relief Scheme for fuel, allowing eligible beneficiaries to purchase less than five litres of petrol in a single transaction.
The decision was taken after the government reviewed public feedback received during the first 48 hours of the nationwide rollout of the fuel relief programme. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to discuss the implementation of the scheme and issues being faced by citizens.
Following the feedback, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved two changes for motorcycles, three-wheelers and rickshaws. The first major change is the removal of the minimum five-litre fuel purchase requirement.
Under the revised arrangement, eligible beneficiaries will receive a weekly fuel token worth Rs500. The token can now be used to purchase petrol in any quantity. This means people who cannot or do not want to buy five litres at once will still be able to use the full benefit provided under the scheme.
The government has also increased the eligibility age limit for two-wheelers and three-wheelers. The limit has been raised from 15 years to 20 years, potentially bringing more older motorcycles and three-wheelers into the relief programme.
There is no change in the existing arrangement for four-wheelers with engine capacities of up to 800cc. Eligible users of these vehicles will continue to receive one 10-litre fuel token every 10 days. This amounts to three tokens per month under the current system.
The government has also clarified that consumers must receive the complete value of the Rs500 fuel token. Petrol stations will not be permitted to deduct any amount or charge an additional service fee when processing the token.
The steering committee also reviewed the progress of beneficiary registration, fuel token redemption and payment settlements with petrol stations. Authorities discussed measures to ensure that payments are processed smoothly and that technical issues do not prevent eligible citizens from receiving the subsidy.
Dar directed the State Bank of Pakistan to provide payment-status reports twice a day, at 11am and 7pm. The reports will help identify rejected transactions, determine the reasons for rejection and ensure that problems are resolved quickly.
The meeting also discussed difficulties in areas with limited or no internet connectivity. Dar directed authorities to create alternative arrangements for fuel stations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and remote rural areas.
The government said the main purpose of the scheme is to provide fuel relief to vulnerable citizens. Authorities were directed to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are not excluded because of their location or connectivity problems.
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