WASIM IQBAL & RIZWAN BHATTI

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Thursday held a meeting with representatives of Petroleum Pump Dealers’ Associations to brief them on the mechanism for the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme.

The meeting was informed that funds for three months have been earmarked for the Fuel Relief Scheme, out of which Rs25 billion for the first month has already been provided to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to facilitate timely reimbursement under the scheme.

The representatives were given a detailed briefing on the operational mechanism of the relief scheme, including the process for providing relief to eligible consumers. Queries and concerns raised by the petroleum pump and dealers’ associations were addressed during the meeting.

The SBP briefed the participants on the reimbursement mechanism and assured that claims submitted under the scheme would be processed within 48 hours, ensuring timely reimbursement to participating petroleum dealers.

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunications briefed the participants on the digital system developed for implementation of the scheme. It was also informed that a dedicated control room has been established to facilitate petrol pumps and address their queries and complaints. Petrol pumps can contact the control room at 9772 for assistance.

The representatives of the petroleum pump and dealers’ associations welcomed the Prime Minister’s Fuel Relief Scheme and assured their full cooperation and support to the government in ensuring its smooth implementation and providing relief to the public.

Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik appreciated the cooperation extended by the petroleum dealers and emphasised the importance of close coordination among all stakeholders for the effective, transparent, and timely implementation of the relief initiative.

Secretary Petroleum Division, Additional Secretary Petroleum Division, Additional Secretary Ministry of IT and Telecommunications, Director General Oil, the SBP Executive Director, representatives of OGRA, OCAC, and representatives of petroleum dealers and pump association were present at the meeting.

Office bearers of Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said that the successful negotiations with the government have ended the deadlock over the Fuel Relief Package, and dealers have started implementing the package.

The PPDA expressed hope that timely implementation of the agreed payment mechanism would help address the concerns of petroleum dealers.