PM Orders Cancellation of Licences of Petrol Pumps Denying Fuel Subsidy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate cancellation of licences of petrol pumps that refuse to provide fuel subsidies to eligible beneficiaries under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Programme.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to review progress on the programme, including its implementation, transparency and relief being provided to the public.
Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif said the government had simplified the registration process and procedures for obtaining subsidies, enabling a growing number of deserving and low-income citizens across the country to benefit from the initiative.
He described the technology-based and transparent subsidy programme as a potential game changer for future public welfare initiatives in Pakistan.
The prime minister also appreciated Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima, Federal Secretary IT Zarrar Hashim Khan and their team for developing an effective, modern monitoring dashboard. The meeting was informed that advanced technology was being used to ensure transparency in the system.
Issuing strict directives, Shehbaz Sharif said petrol pumps registered under the programme must facilitate eligible beneficiaries without delay or obstruction. He ordered immediate legal action and cancellation of licences of petrol pumps found refusing or delaying the provision of subsidised fuel.
During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that 15,519,282 citizens had successfully registered under the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Programme across the country.
The registered beneficiaries include more than 15 million motorcycle owners and owners of small cars with engine capacities of up to 800cc.
Officials further reported that 63,153,685 tokens had been issued under the scheme, of which 59,445,347 had been successfully used and redeemed.
As of November 4, 2026, a total of Rs28.6 billion had been disbursed to beneficiaries under the fuel subsidy programme.
The prime minister was also informed that separate helplines and call centres had been established for consumers and petrol pump operators to provide information and promptly address complaints and technical or administrative issues related to the scheme.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani.
Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and Lieutenant General (retd) Zafar Iqbal, along with other senior government officials, also attended the meeting.
