Ishaq Dar Reviews Fuel Relief Scheme, Directs Full Coverage of Operational Stations

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to review implementation of the Prime Minister’s Special Relief Scheme.

The committee was informed that the overwhelming majority of fuel stations across the country are now operational on the system, while citizens are redeeming fuel tokens. Registration is continuing nationwide through SMS to 9771.

The committee approved the redemption of fuel tokens through SMS at stations located in areas without internet connectivity. AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and the provinces will provide lists of such stations so they can be included in the scheme without delay.

The State Bank of Pakistan informed the committee that all payment claims received over the past three days had been settled in full, with claims received each day processed on the same day.

Ishaq Dar directed that every fuel station that is open and operational be brought onto the system. He also ordered that permanently closed stations and those dealing exclusively in diesel be identified and removed from the list.

The deputy prime minister said the coverage of the scheme should accurately reflect the situation on the ground and ensure that relief reaches the intended beneficiaries without hindrance.

Ishaq Dar appreciated the efforts of provincial administrations and acknowledged the cooperation extended by the State Bank of Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by the Ministers for Petroleum, Economic Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, and IT and Telecommunication, along with the Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Chairman OGRA, Chairman Pakistan Digital Authority and Secretary Petroleum.

The Chief Commissioner ICT, Additional Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and senior officials from AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and relevant federal and provincial departments also attended the meeting.