Petrol Subsidy Registration Starts: Here’s How to Apply by SMS

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a targeted Rs100-per-litre petrol relief package for motorcycle, rickshaw and small-car users, with senior ministers providing details of the eligibility and registration process.

Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima, Information Minister Atta Tarar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik addressed a press conference on the government’s relief measures.

The scheme offers Rs100 per litre relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month for motorcycles and two- and three-wheelers, while vehicles with engine capacity of up to 800cc are eligible for the same relief on up to 30 litres per month.

Registration Through SMS

Shaza Fatima said the government had opted for an SMS-based system because not everyone has access to a smartphone.

According to the registration procedure, applicants need to send “REG” to 9771 and provide their CNIC number, vehicle number, province and registration date.

After registration is completed, eligible users can obtain the fuel token by sending “TOK” to 9771 on the day they intend to purchase petrol.

The applicant can then show the SMS token at a participating petrol station to receive the applicable relief.

The government has said the mobile number used for registration must be registered in the applicant’s name and linked to the relevant CNIC. The motorcycle itself does not necessarily have to be registered in the applicant’s name under the procedure described by the government information.

Relief Targeted at Low-Income Users

Atta Tarar said reducing the petroleum levy across the board would also provide relief to wealthier consumers, whereas the targeted scheme was designed specifically for financially vulnerable groups.

He said motorcycles and rickshaws were commonly used by lower-income workers and households, making targeted assistance more effective.

Tarar said the government was also working to prevent long queues at petrol stations and allow citizens to complete registration from their homes.

He rejected calls for street protests and said the government was focused on providing practical relief rather than relying on slogans.

Up to Rs2,000 Monthly Relief for Bikes

Under the announced scheme, motorcycle, rickshaw and other two- and three-wheeler users can receive relief on up to 20 litres per month, equivalent to maximum savings of Rs2,000 monthly.

Owners of vehicles with engines of up to 800cc can receive relief on up to 30 litres, providing maximum savings of Rs3,000 per month.

The scheme is being rolled out first in Islamabad, with implementation across the rest of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, scheduled to follow.

PM Allocates Rs130 Billion for Public Relief

Ali Pervaiz Malik said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had introduced the package to provide relief to vulnerable sections of society amid rising international oil prices.

He described the Rs100-per-litre relief as an initial step to reduce the burden on households affected by higher fuel costs.

Malik said Pakistan imports around 90 percent of its energy requirements, making international oil-price fluctuations a major challenge for the domestic economy.

He said the government would continue taking measures to provide maximum possible relief to the public.

No Smartphone Required

Shaza Fatima reiterated that citizens do not need a smartphone or a dedicated application to access the scheme.

The SMS-based mechanism was selected to ensure that people without smartphones or reliable internet access are not excluded.

The government has also urged eligible users to complete registration and follow the SMS instructions to receive the fuel subsidy without needing to visit government offices.

The targeted scheme is part of the government’s response to rising fuel costs and seeks to direct assistance toward households and transport users considered most vulnerable to increases in petrol prices.