Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Ishaq Dar on Saturday directed authorities to bring all operational fuel stations “onto the system” to ensure proper rollout of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme.

On September 16, the PM’s Fuel Relief Scheme, which was already operational in Islamabad, was rolled out across the country at midnight.

A statement issued today by the office of DPM Dar said he chaired a meeting of the National Steering Committee on Fuel Subsidy to review the implementation of the scheme.

Addressing the meeting, Dar said, “Every fuel station which is open and operating be brought onto the system, and that stations found permanently closed or dealing exclusively in diesel be identified and removed from the list,” adding that the coverage of the scheme should reflect the position on the ground.

Read: PM orders expansion of fuel relief scheme

According to the statement, the committee members were informed that an “overwhelming majority” of fuel stations across the country were operational on the system, and citizens were redeeming fuel tokens.

It also said that the committee approved the redemption of fuel tokens through SMS for stations located in areas deprived of internet access.

It further outlined that registration through SMS could be availed by messaging on 9771.

“Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the provinces shall furnish lists of such (operational) stations so that they may be brought onto the scheme without delay,” the statement read.

During the meeting, the State Bank of Pakistan deputy governor informed the committee members that all payment claims received over the past three days were settled in full.

“Claims received each day, processed the same day.”

DPM Dar praised the efforts of the provincial administrations and acknowledged the cooperation extended by the State Bank of Pakistan, noting that the relief must continue to reach the intended beneficiaries without hindrance.

The meeting was attended by the ministers for Petroleum, Economic Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, and Information Technology and Telecommunication; the State Bank of Pakistan Deputy Governor, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority chairman, Pakistan Digital Authority chairman, Petroleum Ministry secretary, Islamabad Capital Territory chief commissioner, the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa additional chief secretaries, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Balitistan, and Balochistan senior officials, as well as other relevant federal and provincial departments.

Read more: 'Financial strain poses threat to fuel supplies'

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the immediate inclusion of 20-year-old motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws in the PM Fuel Relief Scheme. All motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqi rickshaws registered after January 1, 2006, would be eligible to register for the scheme.

On the day the scheme was rolled out nationwide, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik said the PM’s Fuel Relief Scheme had been designed to support low-income citizens, including delivery riders, rickshaw drivers and families dependent on motorcycles and small cars.

The minister had said eligible motorcyclists would receive Rs100 per litre in fuel relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month, providing maximum monthly assistance of Rs2,000. He added that 800cc car owners would be eligible for relief on up to 30 litres of petrol, translating into Rs3,000 in monthly assistance.