ISLAMABAD: The PM’s fuel subsidy scheme faces first-day hurdles as several petrol stations across Pakistan reportedly declined to provide the subsidised petrol on the first day of the nationwide rollout, citing a lack of the required digital system to process the Rs100-per-litre relief for registered consumers.
The Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme was introduced to provide discounted petrol to eligible citizens through a digital mechanism. However, implementation difficulties emerged at some petrol pumps, prompting government officials to intervene and address complaints from consumers.
Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima visited several fuel stations in Rawalpindi after receiving complaints that registered consumers were unable to receive the promised subsidy. The visits were aimed at ensuring that the digital system was functioning and that eligible consumers could access subsidised petrol.
PM’s fuel subsidy scheme faces first-day hurdles as dealers seek clarity
The difficulties came a day after the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) raised concerns about the mechanism for reimbursing petrol dealers. Dealers had reportedly expressed uncertainty about how subsidy claims would be submitted and settled, raising fears of delays in recovering the amounts provided as discounts to consumers.
To address these concerns, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik held a meeting with representatives of the PPDA on Thursday. Officials from relevant ministries and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also participated in discussions on the implementation and reimbursement process.
The SBP briefed petroleum dealers on the reimbursement mechanism and assured them that claims submitted under the scheme would be processed within 48 hours. The assurance was intended to address concerns about cash flow and ensure that participating petrol stations could continue providing subsidised fuel.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications explained the digital infrastructure developed for the scheme. Authorities also announced a dedicated control room to assist petrol stations with technical problems and complaints. Petrol pumps can contact the control room at 9772.
The government has allocated funds for three months of the scheme, with Rs25 billion for the first month already provided to the SBP to facilitate reimbursements.
PPDA pledges support for fuel relief scheme
PPDA Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh said petroleum dealers supported the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme but acknowledged that insufficient information about the reimbursement process had caused confusion among dealers.
He assured the government that petroleum dealers across the country would cooperate with the initiative.
Separately, the Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC) warned of possible disruptions to the country’s fuel supply chain over outstanding price differential claims (PDCs).
According to the OCAC, oil companies were facing approximately Rs66.7 billion in outstanding PDCs dating back to March 2026. The committee said the unpaid claims were putting additional pressure on the liquidity of oil marketing companies.
Also Read: Petrol Relief Scheme: Government Reveals How to Get Rs100-Per-Litre Subsidy
The OCAC urged the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to complete verification and release approved claims, warning that continued delays could create supply-side challenges.
The committee also called for the implementation of a previously approved Rs1.22 per litre increase in OMC margins and requested a predictable mechanism for future margin revisions.
The first-day problems with the subsidy programme highlight the importance of coordination between government agencies, banks, petroleum dealers and oil marketing companies. Authorities are now expected to resolve the initial technical and reimbursement concerns to ensure that registered consumers can access the promised fuel relief without further disruption.
