Fuel relief scheme fully operational across country: Kiyani

ISLAMABAD, Sep 25 (APP): Minister of State for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kiyani said on Friday that the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme was fully operational across the country, providing Rs500 worth of free petrol per week to eligible motorcyclists and Rs1,000 every 10 days to owners of cars up to 800cc through a quick registration process.

Addressing a press conference along with Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shiza Fatima, he said applicants needed only their CNIC and vehicle registration card for registration, after which a token would be generated and the fuel relief added within minutes.

He clarified that the vehicle did not necessarily have to be registered in the applicant’s own name for users of motorcycles, rickshaws, loaders and ChingChi rickshaws to benefit from the scheme, provided the registration card carried the required vehicle details. The SIM card used for registration, however, should match the applicant’s CNIC.

Kiyani said he had personally visited around 40 petrol pumps during the previous two days and witnessed the registration and disbursement process, adding that eligible citizens were receiving the fuel relief within minutes.

He urged government employees, students, workers, job seekers and the media to spread awareness about the scheme in villages, streets and neighbourhoods so that no eligible person was deprived of the facility.

The minister said the targeted relief mechanism had been designed to provide meaningful support to people using motorcycles, small cars, rickshaws and loaders amid higher petroleum prices and limited fiscal resources.

He said the government was working within the constraints of the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme while directing available resources towards the segments most affected by higher fuel costs.

Kiyani said the government had mobilised relevant institutions to ensure implementation of the scheme across the country and urged eligible citizens to avail themselves of the facility. Meanwhile, responding to questions about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) proposed march, he said the government would take necessary measures to protect citizens and public and private property.

He said placing containers and taking other precautionary measures was not the government’s preference but became necessary to ensure public safety in view of previous incidents of violence during political protests.

Kiyani said Islamabad was not closed and normal movement was continuing in the capital and surrounding areas, while precautionary measures were being taken to prevent any untoward incident.

He also urged the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to focus greater attention on combating terrorism and strengthening its police and security infrastructure.

The minister said political instability had not prevented the government from pursuing its economic reform agenda, adding that Pakistan had met its primary surplus targets and completed IMF programme reviews.

He said the government aimed to convert macroeconomic stability into sustainable economic growth, with a focus on employment generation, exports and economic activity. Kiyani said negotiations could succeed only when both sides demonstrated seriousness and sincerity, adding that the government had previously extended an invitation to the opposition for dialogue. He reiterated that the government would continue taking necessary steps for the protection of citizens, the economy and public property.