Over 15mn benefit from PM’s Fuel Relief Scheme

November 03, 2026 (MLN): The government has disbursed Rs27bn under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme, with more than 15mn people benefiting so far from subsidised petroleum products for eligible consumers.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar told a press conference, alongside Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, that the government has also prevented a Rs15 per litre increase in petrol prices on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, APP reported.

The additional burden has been shifted to oil refineries instead of consumers, with refineries expected to bear an estimated Rs15bn a month.

He said the prime minister’s vision from the outset has been to minimise the financial burden on the people, and that his clear instructions are that the impact of the evolving international situation must not be passed on to the public.

Attaullah Tarar said developments in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb have put pressure on global economies and energy markets.

 He added that Pakistan has also been affected by regional developments, but its macroeconomic indicators remain positive.

Describing the scheme as a major public welfare measure, he said it provides petrol at subsidised rates to motorcycles, Qingqi rickshaws and vehicles with engine capacity of up to 800cc.

Payments are also being made to petrol pumps for fuel supplied at subsidised rates.

He said the scheme was made possible through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Information Technology, the Ministry of Petroleum, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). It has been launched nationwide and will continue to serve eligible consumers.

Responding to questions, he said there is no shortage of essential commodities in the country, and that cargo arrivals and supply chains have been maintained even in challenging circumstances.

He urged the public to avoid speculation and not to believe unverified reports and rumours.

On the economy, Attaullah Tarar said the government has introduced comprehensive reforms to stabilise the economy and put it on a path of sustainable growth.

He said the PML-N government has launched structural reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and that technology-based monitoring of manufacturing has enabled additional revenue collection, including an extra Rs60bn in taxes from the sugar industry alone.

He said technology has also been introduced in the cement, tobacco and beverages sectors to monitor production and ensure traceability, and that reforms have been made in the ports and shipping sectors, including a fee appraisal system at ports.

Referring to his recent visit to Kohat, he said the motorway and the Kohat Tunnel were built under the PML-N government, and questioned why later provincial governments did not set up projects such as a Safe City system, a kidney and liver transplant centre and new universities.

He also said he did not see a single registered motorcycle in Kohat, and questioned whether vehicle registration and revenue collection were not the provincial government’s responsibility.

Commenting on the OGRA chairman, he said the authority is being regulated effectively and the results of sound policies are becoming visible.

He added that the chairman was previously part of the prime minister’s team and will continue to serve with it.

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