ISLAMABAD – For people in areas where weak internet signal can mean missing out on basic services, Prime Minister’s fuel relief scheme is taking a different route. With SMS-based fuel token redemption now approved for offline petrol pumps, the government is moving to make the scheme accessible beyond the reach of the internet.
The government took another step to expand fuel relief scheme, particularly for people living in areas where internet access remains limited or unavailable.
A meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, reviewed the progress of the scheme and approved a new facility allowing fuel tokens to be redeemed through SMS at petrol pumps in areas without internet connectivity.
The move is aimed at ensuring that poor internet coverage does not prevent people from using the fuel relief facility. During the meeting, officials said that most petrol pumps across the country have already been connected to the fuel subsidy system, and citizens are using their fuel tokens.
Registration for the scheme is also continuing through SMS. People can register by sending an SMS to 9771, with the service currently available across the country.
The latest decision focuses on areas where petrol pumps cannot reliably operate through an internet-based system. Under the approved mechanism, fuel tokens will be processed through SMS, allowing eligible citizens to access the facility even where internet connectivity is unavailable.
The committee also reviewed the overall implementation of the Prime Minister’s special relief package and the progress of petrol pumps being brought onto the system.
With SMS registration continuing at 9771 and most petrol pumps already active, the government is now moving to close one of the key gaps in the scheme, access for people living in areas with little or no internet connectivity.
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