Petroleum dealers demand govt devise mechanism for fuel subsidy reimbursement

Petroleum dealers have urged the government to establish a mechanism for reimbursing the fuel subsidy, set to commence nationwide after midnight on Wednesday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled a "relief scheme" on September 13, offering a Rs100 per litre discount on a monthly quota of 20 litres for motorcycle and auto owners, and Rs100 per litre for 30 litres for those driving vehicles up to 800cc.

The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman, Malik Khuda Bakhsh, expressed his support for the move, but emphasized that businesses shouldn't suffer. He questioned who would bear the cost of the Rs100 per litre subsidy and when payments would be made. Confusion arose as various authorities appeared uncertain about the payment source, with some suggesting the Petroleum Division and others pointing to the Finance Ministry.

PPDA Vice Chairman Tariq Hassan reported that 14,000 dealers had been attempting to contact the government over the past three days, only to be met with communication gaps. Malik also warned that if payments weren't made promptly, dealers might abandon the scheme, as past government assurances had been unfulfilled. PPDA Vice Chairman Anwar Kamal called for negotiations between the government and dealers and rejected the "smart lockdown" proposal.

Minister Shaza Fatima had earlier assured that the issue of SMS delivery and low balances had been resolved.