Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a Tamgha for IT Minister Shaza Fatima for her role in the petrol subsidy scheme.
- The scheme provides a monthly subsidy of Rs. 2,000 to eligible owners of motorcycles, Qingqi motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles with engines of up to 800cc.
- More than 10.85 million citizens have registered under the scheme, with nearly 96 percent of motorcycle riders benefiting.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that IT Minister Shaza Fatima will receive a Tamgha for her role in implementing the government’s petrol subsidy scheme. The announcement was made during an afternoon tea for ministers and officials involved in the initiative.
The scheme, which provides a monthly subsidy of Rs. 2,000 to eligible owners of motorcycles, Qingqi motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles with engines of up to 800cc, has reached more than 10 million registered citizens.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz praised the federal and provincial governments for their joint efforts in implementing the scheme through a digital process. He also thanked various departments for their contributions, including the Petroleum Division, OGRA, State Bank of Pakistan, NADRA, PTA, and telecom operators.
More than 10.85 million citizens have registered under the scheme, with vouchers issued to nearly 10.20 million people. A total of 27 million tokens have been issued, and subsidized petrol has been purchased using 19.4 million tokens. Around 9.28 million citizens have used the facility for a second time.
Shehbaz claimed that nearly 96 percent of motorcycle riders have benefited from the scheme. He compared the results with an earlier initiative launched in February, when 1.3 million tokens were issued at its peak. He credited cooperation between the federation and the provinces for the expanded reach of the current program.
The prime minister also thanked provincial chief ministers and their teams for providing administrative and financial support. In addition to the Tamgha for Shaza Fatima, officials from other departments will receive shields in recognition of their work. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani were among those acknowledged.
The scheme has been a significant undertaking, facing numerous challenges. However, Shehbaz expressed confidence in its continued success and the government’s commitment to its implementation.
