Fuel subsidy programme crosses 1.94 crore tokens as PM Shehbaz announces medal for Shaza Fatima

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a medal for Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a medal for Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja in recognition of her role in improving public access and transparency in the federal government’s fuel subsidy programme.

The announcement was made during a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, where officials briefed the prime minister on the programme’s progress and the number of citizens benefiting from the initiative.

Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif described the fuel subsidy programme as an important initiative that involved considerable risks but was now producing encouraging results. He credited the progress to coordinated efforts by the federal and provincial governments, along with the contributions of relevant departments and other stakeholders.

The prime minister said the programme’s achievements reflected the importance of cooperation between different levels of government in delivering relief to citizens.

Registration and token figures

According to the figures presented during the meeting, more than 1 crore 8 lakh 80 thousand citizens have registered for the programme so far. Officials reported that approximately 2 crore 17 lakh tokens had been issued, while subsidised petrol had been obtained against 1 crore 94 lakh tokens.

The briefing also highlighted that the number of beneficiaries had crossed one crore, demonstrating the programme’s reach among eligible citizens, particularly motorcycle owners.

Under the initiative, eligible individuals are receiving monthly financial relief of Rs2,000 to help manage transportation expenses amid rising fuel prices and persistent inflation.

Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the role of provincial governments in supporting the federal initiative, saying that cooperation between the federation and provinces had been instrumental in its implementation.

Recognition for the IT team

Alongside the medal for Shaza Fatima, the prime minister announced that shields would be presented to other team members who contributed to the programme’s implementation.

The initiative relies on a digital and verification-based mechanism intended to improve accessibility, maintain transparency and reduce the risk of funds or benefits reaching ineligible recipients.

Relevant departments, including the Ministry of IT and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), have been involved in the verification process, alongside provincial authorities.

Relief amid rising living costs

The fuel subsidy programme was introduced to provide assistance to low-income citizens, particularly motorcycle owners who depend on two-wheelers for commuting and earning a livelihood.

Rising petroleum prices have increased transportation costs for households and workers already struggling with inflation and other essential expenses. For eligible beneficiaries, the monthly Rs2,000 relief is intended to reduce some of this financial pressure.

The government has presented the digital token system as a way to make the subsidy more accessible while strengthening oversight and accountability. Officials also highlighted the importance of coordination among government departments in ensuring that the programme reaches its intended recipients.

Shehbaz Sharif said the initiative demonstrated how technology, transparency and cooperation between federal and provincial authorities could improve the delivery of public welfare measures.

Further expansion of the programme is under consideration as the government assesses its implementation and reach.

The programme’s continued success will depend on effective monitoring, accurate beneficiary verification and ensuring that eligible citizens can access the relief without unnecessary complications.

Publication note: The supplied figures have been retained, but the token counts and the exact form of the announced award should be verified against the official meeting briefing before publication.